104
Tales.
Upon a time (for so my nurse,
Heav'n rest her bones! began discourse)
A lovely nymph, and just nineteen,
Began to languish with the spleen:
She who had shone at balls and play, 25
In gold brocade extremely gay,
All on a sudden grew precise,
Declaim'd against the growth of vice,
A very prude in half a year,
And most believ'd she was sincere: 30
Necklace of pearl no more she wears,
That's sanctify'd to count her pray'rs:
Venus, and all her naked Loves,
The reformado nymph removes;
And Magdalen, with faints and martyrs, 35
Was plac'd in their respective quarters.
Nor yet content, she could not bear
The rankness of the public air,
'Twas so infected with the vice
Of luscious songs and lovers' sighs; 40
So most devoutly would be gone,
And straight profess herself a Nun.
A youth of breeding and address,
And call him Thyrsis if you please,
Who had some wealth to recompense 45
His slender dividend of sense,
Yet could with little thought and care
Write tender things to please the fair,
Heav'n rest her bones! began discourse)
A lovely nymph, and just nineteen,
Began to languish with the spleen:
She who had shone at balls and play, 25
In gold brocade extremely gay,
All on a sudden grew precise,
Declaim'd against the growth of vice,
A very prude in half a year,
And most believ'd she was sincere: 30
Necklace of pearl no more she wears,
That's sanctify'd to count her pray'rs:
Venus, and all her naked Loves,
The reformado nymph removes;
And Magdalen, with faints and martyrs, 35
Was plac'd in their respective quarters.
Nor yet content, she could not bear
The rankness of the public air,
'Twas so infected with the vice
Of luscious songs and lovers' sighs; 40
So most devoutly would be gone,
And straight profess herself a Nun.
A youth of breeding and address,
And call him Thyrsis if you please,
Who had some wealth to recompense 45
His slender dividend of sense,
Yet could with little thought and care
Write tender things to please the fair,
