To A Lady
Spare, gen'rous victor, spare the slave, Who did unequal war pursue; That more than triumph he might have, In being overcome by you. In the dispute whate'er I said, My heart was by my tongue belied; And in my looks you might have read How much I argued on your side. You, far from danger as from fear, Might have sustain'd an open fight: For seldom your opinions err: Your eyes are always in the right. Why, fair one, would you not rely On Reason's force with Beauty's join'd? Could I their prevalence deny, I must at once be deaf and blind. Alas! not hoping to subdue, I only to the fight aspir'd: To keep the beauteous foe in view Was all the glory I desir'd. But she, howe'er of vict'ry sure. Contemns the wreath too long delay'd; And, arm'd with more immediate pow'r, Calls cruel silence to her aid. Deeper to wound, she shuns the fight: She drops her arms, to gain the field: Secures her conquest by her flight; And triumphs, when she seems to yield. So when the Parthian turn'd his steed, And from the hostile camp withdrew; With cruel skill the backward reed He sent; and as he fled, he slew.
Matthew Prior
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