The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/The Platonic Spell

by Elijah Fenton

THE PLATONIC SPELL.

"Whene'er I wed," young Strephon cry'd,
"Ye Pow'rs that o'er the noose preside!
"Wit, beauty, wealth, good humour, give,
"Or let me still a rover live;
"But if all these no nymph can share, 5
"Let mine, ye Pow'rs! be doubly fair."
Thus pray'd the swain in heat of blood,
Whilst nigh celestial Cupid stood,
And tapping him, said, "Youth! be wise,
"And let a child for once advise. 10
"A faultless make, a manag'd wit,
"Humour, and riches, rarely meet:
"But if a beauty you'd obtain,
"Court some bright Phyllis of the brain;
"The dear idea long enjoy; 15
"Clean is the bliss, and ne'er will cloy.
"But trust me, Youth! for I'm sincere,
"And know the ladies to a hair,
"Howe'er small poets whine upon it,
"In madrigal, and song, and sonnet, 20
"Their beauty's but a spell, to bring
"A lover to th' enchanted ring.
"Ere the sack-posset is digested,
"Or half of Hymen's taper wasted,
"The winning air, the wanton trip, 25
"The radiant eye, the velvet lip,
"From which you fragrant kisses stole,
"And seem'd to suck her springing soul;
"These, and the rest you doated on,
"Are nauseous or insipid grown; 30
"The spell dissolves, the cloud is gone,
"And Sacharissa turns to Joan." 32

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