Poems on Several Occasions (Broome)/To a Lady, playing with a Snake

by William Broome

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

 

To a LADY,

Playing with a SNAKE.

I.
It is a pleasing, direful Sight!
At once you charm us, and affright!
So Heav'n destroying Angels arms
With Terror, dreadful in their Charms!

II.
Such, such was Cleopatra's Air,
Lovely, but formidably fair,
When the griev'd World impoverish'd lost
By the dire Asp, its noblest Boast.

III.
Aw'd by your Guardian's dang'rous Pow'r,
At distance trembling we adore;
At distance, once again behold
A Serpent guard the blooming Gold.

IV.
Well pleas'd, and harmless, lo! he lies,
Basks in the Sunshine of your Eyes;
Now twists his Spires, and now unfurls
The gay Confusion of his Curls.

V.
Oh! happy on your Breast to lie,
As that bright ^[1]Star which gilds the Sky,
Who ceasing in the Spheres to shine,
Would, for your Breast, his Heav'n resign.

VI.
Yet oh! fair Virgin, caution take,
Lest some bold Cheat assume the Snake;
When Jove comprest the ^[2]Grecian Dame,
Aloof he threw the Lightning's Flame;
On radiant Spires the Lover rode,
And in the Snake conceal'd the God.

 

Endpiece from 'Poems on Several Occasions' by William Broome (1739, 2nd edition)

1. The Scorpion.
2. Olympias, Mother of Alexander the Great.