The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/A-la-mode
A-LA-MODE.
My better self, my heav'n, my joy!
While thus imparadis'd I lie,
Transported in thy circling arms
With fresh variety of charms,
From Fate I scarce can think to crave 5
A bliss but what in thee I have.
Twelve months, my Dear! have past, since thou
Didst plight to me thy virgin vow;
Twelve months in rapture spent! for they
Seem shorter than St. Lucy's day: 10
A bright example we shall prove
Of lasting matrimonial love.
Mean-while I beg the gods to grant
(The only favour that I want)
That I may not survive, to see 15
My happiness expire with thee.
O! should I lose my dearest dear,
By thee, and all that's good, I swear,
I'd give myself the fatal blow,
And wait thee to the world below. 20
When Wheedle thus to spouse in bed
Spoke the best things he e'er had read,
Madam, surpris'd, (you must suppose it)
Had lock'd a Templar in the closet;
A youth of pregnant parts and worth, 25
To play at picquet, and so forth—
This wag, when he had heard the whole,
Demurely to the curtain stole,
And peeping in, with solemn tone,
Cry'd out, "O Man! thy days are done: 30
"The gods are fearful of the worst,
"And send me, Death, to fetch thee first;
"To save their fav'rite from self-murder,
"Lo! thus I execute their order."
"Hold, Sir, for second thoughts are best," 35
The husband cry'd; "it is my request
"With pleasure to prolong my life."———
"Your meaning?"—"Pray, Sir, take my wife." 38
While thus imparadis'd I lie,
Transported in thy circling arms
With fresh variety of charms,
From Fate I scarce can think to crave 5
A bliss but what in thee I have.
Twelve months, my Dear! have past, since thou
Didst plight to me thy virgin vow;
Twelve months in rapture spent! for they
Seem shorter than St. Lucy's day: 10
A bright example we shall prove
Of lasting matrimonial love.
Mean-while I beg the gods to grant
(The only favour that I want)
That I may not survive, to see 15
My happiness expire with thee.
O! should I lose my dearest dear,
By thee, and all that's good, I swear,
I'd give myself the fatal blow,
And wait thee to the world below. 20
When Wheedle thus to spouse in bed
Spoke the best things he e'er had read,
Madam, surpris'd, (you must suppose it)
Had lock'd a Templar in the closet;
A youth of pregnant parts and worth, 25
To play at picquet, and so forth—
This wag, when he had heard the whole,
Demurely to the curtain stole,
And peeping in, with solemn tone,
Cry'd out, "O Man! thy days are done: 30
"The gods are fearful of the worst,
"And send me, Death, to fetch thee first;
"To save their fav'rite from self-murder,
"Lo! thus I execute their order."
"Hold, Sir, for second thoughts are best," 35
The husband cry'd; "it is my request
"With pleasure to prolong my life."———
"Your meaning?"—"Pray, Sir, take my wife." 38