TO A FAIR LADY, PLAYING WITH A SNAKE.
Reading edition
1 Strange! that such horror and such grace Should dwell together in one place; A fury's arm, an angel's face!
2 'Tis innocence, and youth, which makes In Chloris' fancy such mistakes, To start at love, and play with snakes.
3 By this and by her coldness barr'd, Her servants have a task too hard; The tyrant has a double guard!
4 Thrice happy snake! that in her sleeve May boldly creep; we dare not give Our thoughts so unconfined a leave.
5 Contented in that nest of snow He lies, as he his bliss did know, And to the wood no more would go.
6 Take heed, fair Eve! you do not make Another tempter of this snake; A marble one so warm'd would speak.