The Picture Of Little T.C. In A Prospect Of Flowers

9Who can foretel for what high cause

10This Darling of the Gods was born!

11Yet this is She whose chaster Laws

12The wanton Love shall one day fear,

13And, under her command severe,

14See his Bow broke and Ensigns torn.

15Happy, who can

16Appease this virtuous Enemy of Man!

17O then let me in time compound,

18And parly with those conquering Eyes;

19Ere they have try'd their force to wound,

20Ere, with their glancing wheels, they drive

21In Triumph over Hearts that strive,

22And them that yield but more despise.

23Let me be laid,

24Where I may see thy Glories from some Shade.

25Mean time, whilst every verdant thing

26It self does at thy Beauty charm,

27Reform the errours of the Spring;

28Make that the Tulips may have share

29Of sweetness, seeing they are fair;

30And Roses of their thorns disarm:

31But most procure

32That Violets may a longer Age endure.

33But O young beauty of the Woods,

34Whom Nature courts with fruits and flow'rs,

35Gather the Flow'rs, but spare the Buds;

36Lest Flora angry at thy crime,

37To kill her Infants in their prime,

38Do quickly make th' Example Yours;

39And, ere we see,

40Nip in the blossome all our hopes and Thee.