AMOROUS EPISTLE OF PARIS TO HELEN. Sometimes I throw myself along, and lie, Singing love-songs; and if you cast your eye On my effeminate gesture, I still find Some pretty cover'd signs to speak my mind; And then my earnest suit bluntly invades ETHRA and CLIMENE, your two chief maids, But they return me answers full of fear, And to my motions lend no further ear. Oh! that you were the prize of some great strife, And he that wins might claim you for his wife. HYPOMENES with swift ATLANTA ran, And at one course the goal and lady won; Even she, by whom so many suitors perish'd, Was in the bosom of her new love cherish'd. SO HERCULES for DEJANEIRA strove, Brake ACHELOus' horn, and gain'd his love. Had I such liberty, such freedom granted, My resolution never could be daunted. Yourself should find, and all the world should see, HELEN a prize alone reserv'd for me. There is not left me any means (most fair) To court you now, but by intreats and prayer; Unless (as it becomes me) you think meet, That I should prostrate fall, and kiss your feet, Oh! all the honour that our last age wins, Thou glory of the two Tindarian twins! Worthy to be Jove's wife, in heaven to reign, Were you not Jove's own daughter, of his strain. AMOROUS EPISTLE OF PARIS TO HELEN. To the Sygean confines I will carry thee, And in the temple of great PALLAS, marry thee; My wound is not a slight raze with an arrow, you at this? or, lady, do you fear Should keep that face, that beauty, without sin? you must your glorious face exchange For one (less fair) or else not seem so strange. Beauty and chastity at variance are, 'Tis hard to find one woman chaste and fair. VENUS will not have beauty over-aw'd, High Jove himself stolen pleasures will applaud; AMOROUS EPISTLE OF PARIS TO HELEN. And by such thievish pastimes we may gather How Jove 'gainst wedlock's laws became your father. He and your mother LEDA both transgress'd, When you were got she bare a tender breast. What glory can you gain love-sweets to smother? Or to be counted chaster than your mother? Profess strict chastity, when with great joy, I lead you as my bride espous'd through Troy. Then I intreat you rein your pleasures in, I wish thy PARIS may be all thy sin. If CITHEREA her firm covenant keep, Tho' I within your bosom nightly sleep, We shall not much misdo, but so offend, That we by marriage may our guilt amend. Your husband hath himself this business aided, And (tho' not with his tongue) he hath persuaded, By all his deeds (as much) lest he should stay Our private meetings, he is far away, Of purpose rid unto the farthest West, That he might leave his wife unto his guest. AMOROUS EPISTLE OF PARIS TO HELEN. Behold, a witness I against you stand, You have been careless of this kind command. What meant he else? then let's be blithe and jolly, And make the best use of your husband's folly. What should we do? your husband is far gone, And this cold night (poor soul) you lie alone. I want a bedfellow, so do we either, What lets us then, but that we lie together? You slumb'ring think on me, on you I dream, Both our desires are fervent and extreme. AMOROUS EPISTLE OF PARIS TO HELEN. Sweet, then appoint the night, why do you stay? O night! more clear than e'en the brightest day. Then I dare freely speak, protest, and swear, And of my vows the gods shall record bear. Then will I seal the contract and the strife, From that day forward we are man and wife: Then questionless I shall so far persuade, you . with me shall Troy's rich coast invade, And with your Phrygian guest at last agree, Our potent kingdom, and rich crown to see. But if you (blushing) fear the vulgar bruit, That says you follow me, to me make suit, Fear it not, HELEN; I'll so work with fame, I will (alone) be guilty of all blame. That Duke THESEUS was my instance, and so were Your brothers, lady; can I come more near, To ensample my attempts by? THESEUS hal'd HELEN perforce : your brothers they prevail'd With the Lucippian sisters; now from these, I'll count myself the fourth (if HELEN please.) Our Trojan navy rides upon the coast, Rigg'd, arm'd, and mann'd, and I can proudly boast, The banks are high, why do you longer stay? The winds and oars are ready to make way. You shall be like a high majestic queen, Led thro' the Dardan city, and be seen, |