BEAUTIES FORT.
Reading edition
FROM AN ANONYMOUS MS., LATELY IN POSSESSION OF J. P. COLLIER, ESQ., F.S.A.
When raging Love, with fierce assault, Strikes at fair Beauties gate, What army hath she to resist And keepe her court and state?
She calleth first on Chastitie To lende her help in time; And Prudence no lesse summons shee To meet her foe so trim.
And female Courage she alwaye Doth bring unto the walle, To blowe the trump in her dismaye, Fearing her fort may falle.
On force of wordes she much relies Her foe without to keepe, And parleyeth with her two bright eyes When they her dyke would leape.
Yet natheless the more she strives, The lesse she keepes him out, For she hath traitors in her camp That keepe her still in doubt.
The first and worst of these the Fleshe, Then womans Vanitie That still is caughte within the meshe Of guilefull Flatterie.
These traitors ope the gate at length; And in, with sword in hande, Came raging Love, and all her strength No longer can withstande.
Prudence and Chastitie both to Submit unto the foe; And female Courage nought can doe But down her walls must goe.
She needes must yield her castle strong, And Love triumphs once more; Its onely what the boy hath done A thousand times before.
None may resist his mightie power; And though a boy, and blinde, He knows to chase a happie hour When maidens must be kinde.