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Ode ix. Lib. 1. in Horace imitated.
Vides ut alta ftet nive candidum, &c.
Written in the Year, 1685.

To Sir John Bowyer.

I.

Ince the Hills all around us do Penance in Snow,

Since the Rivers, chain'd up, flow with the fame Speed As Prifoners advance towards the Pfalm they can't read, Throw whole Oaks at á Time, nay, Groves, on the Fire, They fhall be our Sobriety's Funeral-Pyre.

II.

Never waft the dull Time in impertinent Thinking, But urge and pursue the great Business of Drinking; Come pierce your old Hogsheads, ne'er stint us-in Sherry, This, this is the Season to drink and be merry: Then, reviv'd by our Liquor and Billets together, We'll out-roar the loud Storms, and defy the cold Weather.

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Damn your Gadbury, Partridge, and Salmon together,
What a paling Discourse have we here of the Weather;
Nay, no more of that Business, but, Friend, as you love us,
Leave it all to the Care of the good Folks above us.
Your Orchards and Groves will be shatter'd no more,
If, to hufh the rough Winds, they forbid them to roar.

IV.

Send a Bumper about, and cease this Debate

Of the Tricks of the Court and Designs of the State.
Whether Brandon, cr Offly, or Booth go to Pot,

Ne'er trouble your Brains; let 'em take their own Lot..

Thank

Thank the Gads, you can fafely fit under your Vine, And enjoy your old Friends, and drink off your own [Wine.

V.

While your Appetite's ftrong, and good Humour remains
And active fresh Blood does enliven your Veins,
Improve the fleet Minutes in Scenes of Delight,
Let your Friend have the Day, and your Miftrefs the
(Night
In the Dark you may try whether Phillis is kind,
The Night for intrieguing was ever defign'd.

VI.

Tho' fhe runs from your Arms, and retreats to the Shade,
Some friendly kind Sign will betray the coy Maid;
All trembling you'll find the modest poor Sinner,

'Tis a venial Trespass in a Beginner :

But remember this Counfel, when once you do meet her, Get a Ring from the Nymph, or fomething that's better.

NEUONEITAIRE DOING REMAINES

A Paraphrafe on Horace of Vides ut Alta.

T

I.

HE Hills (you fee) are cover'd o'er

With a grave Coat of rev'rend Snow,

And Thames that did so lately roar,

Fetter'd in Icy Chains, can hardly flow;

A fullen Fraft the Ground o'er fpreads,

The over-burthen'd Trees hang down their mournful Heads.

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Come then, oblige us with a Fire,.
That may fubftantial Warmth infpire

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Tha

Tho' now no Drinking in the Plants goes round,
But dull Sobriety's in Nature found ; a

Think not this fhall excufe your Beer,
With Men 'tis th' true drinking' Seafon of the Year.

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For God's-Sake let the Pow'rs above
Their Bufinefs mind, and govern all below,
If they think fit these Tempests to remove,
No more fhall rugged Boréas blow,

No more the frozen Plants decay,
But fmile as they enjoy'd a long continu'd Mays.

IV.

To learn your Lot and future State,
Ne'er pry into the Adamantine Books of Fate
But gratefully thofe Pow'rs adore,

That added this kind Hour to the old Score;
And be content with what is given,
Tis all the free and voluntary Gift of Heaven..

Ne'er think in your declining Years,
To pay neglected Love's Arrears;
But while fresh Vigour does inflame,

Purfue, with Hafte, the lovely Game,

Your Talent carefully improve.

Indulge the Day in Wine, and fpend the Night in Love

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If crafty as the Nymph to Covert flies,
By a fly Laugh, or fome betraying Noife,
She guides you where fhe panting lies;
Then all your Store of Rhetorick imploy,
The blushing Dam fek to enjoy.
If the hold outs: then steal at least a Kifs,
And take a Pawn for a substantial Bliss.

The

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Voll. IV. p.zz.

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