an address TO CALISTA, Taken from life.
Reading edition
Calista, tho’ you waft a smile, And blithsome still appear; It does not censure ought beguile, Or stop the stifled tear.
Its levity your conduct sway, And tarnish much your name; Too much her dictates you obey, The prudent must you blame.
A married woman never can, Meet in a secret place; An artful gay and single man, And not incur disgrace.
Censure you long have borne it’s true, At that you can’t complain; That fiend will harass you anew, If you transgress again.
Ne’er listen to each tale of love, The Siren fain would tell; Chaste to your husband ever prove, Lothario bid farewell.
Tho’ guilt is vanished from the eye, Of mortals here below; A God above can all descry, Our secret thoughts he know.
Sometimes the guilty are set free, And wears no more the chains; Yet tho’ he gains his liberty, The stain on him remains.
Tho’ rich the female that portray, A wanton’s smile to view; Or cast her husband’s love away, Bid chastity adieu.
It is the duty of a wife, Whene’er the ring she gain; To lead a virtuous steady life, From wanton acts refrain.
Calista oft you did retire, To an appointed place; To hold a converse with the squire, It brought on you disgrace.