Short Poems

Burnt out of house and home,
“And Winter coming on, alas!” you say,
It matters not. My flowers have had their day.

Does greatness to that man belong,
(And in thy own esteem, I know,
Thou'rt counted great) who in lust's throng
Descends to all that's vile, and low?——
Naso, it does: for we behold in thee
Greatness, combin'd with lustful infamy.

With only one fond spouse to live content,
O Aufilena! best becomes the bride;
Yet, if thou art on prostitution bent,
Go sin with those to whom thou'rt not allied;
But let no uncle share thy body's shame,
Nor raise up children thou must blush to name.

You ask, my soul, that this our mutual love
In fondness, as duration, might excel:
Great gods direct that she but constant prove,
And that she speaks but true, who speaks so well!
Then, gently bound in friendship's holy tie,
We'll both together live, together die!

When along with a sly auctioneer
Such a dainty, young thing we behold;
To the world it must surely appear,
That its beauty is meant to be sold.

Lo! Formian, in his daring flight,
Would soar to Pimpla's tuneful brow;
But, with their pitchforks, from the height
The Muses chuck him down below.

Think'st thou, I'd rail at her I prize,
The nymph that's dearer than these eyes?
I ne'er had any cause, I vow!
Or, if I had, my ardent love
Too strong an obstacle would prove——
But Tappo's sland'rous; so art thou!

Nay, come, prithee, Silo, my money restore;
And then be as surly, and rude as you please:
Or if, like a rogue, you'll not part with the ore;
At least leave off pimping, and mend your vile ways.

If to a friend, that long is tried,
A friend his secret might entrust;
Cornelius may in me confide;
'Tis my religion to be just:
I, like Harpocrates, conceal
That, which I ought not to reveal.

Foul-mouth'd Vectius! did any deserve the disdain
To-conceit, and to talkative ignorance due,
'Tis thyself; whose rank tongue's only fit to lick clean
The most filthy of parts, or some hind's stinking shoe;
If thou'rt anxious to blast ev'ry friend thou mayst meet;
Do but open thy lips, and the wish is compleat!