To the Fair Clarinda

Who made love to me,

Imagin'd more than woman.

Fair lovely Maid, or if that Title

Too weak, too Feminine for Nobler thee,

Permit a Name that more Approaches Truth:

And let me call thee,

Lovely Charming Youth.

This last will justify my soft complaint,

While that may serve to lessen my constraint;

And without Blushes I the Youth pursue,

When so much beauteous Woman is in view.

Against thy Charms we struggle but in

With thy deluding Form thou giv'st us pain,

While the bright Nymph betrays us to the Swain.

In pity to our Sex sure thou wer't sent,

That we might Love, and yet be Innocent:

For sure no Crime with thee we can commit;

Or if we shou'd - thy Form excuses it.

For who, that gathers fairest Flowers believesA Snake lies hid beneath the Fragrant Leaves.

Though beauteous Wonder of a different kind,

Soft Cloris with the dear Alexis join'd;

When e'er the Manly part of thee, wou'd

Though tempts us with the Image of the Maid,

While we the noblest Passions do

The Love to Hermes,

Aphrodite the Friend.