Poems on Several Occasions (Broome)/The Coquette

by William Broome

Fleuron from 'Poems on Several Occasions' by William Broome, 2nd edition published in 1739

 

THE

COQUETTE.

I.
Sillia with uncontested Sway,
Like Rome's fam'd Tyrant reigns;
Beholds adoring Crouds obey,
And Heroes proud to wear her Chains:
Yet stoops, like him, to ev'ry Prize,
Busy to murder Beaux, and Flies.

II.
She aims at ev'ry trifling Heart,
Attends each Flatterer's Vows;
And like a Picture drawn with Art,
A Look on all that gaze bestows:
O! may the Pow'r, who Lovers rules,
Grant rather Scorn, than Hope with Fools!

III.
Mistaken Nymph! the Crouds that gaze
Adore thee into Shame;
Unguarded Beauty is Disgrace,
And Coxcombs when they praise, defame:
O! fly such Brutes in human Shapes,
Nor like th' Ægyptians worship Apes.