Fair Youth! who wish the Wars may cease, <br />We own you better form'd for Peace. <br />Nor Pallas you, nor Mars shou'd follow; <br />Your Gods are Cupid and Apollo; <br />Who give sweet Looks, and early Rhimes, <br />Bespeaking Joys, and Halcyon Times. <br />Your Face, which We, as yet, may praise, <br />Calls for the Myrtle, and the Bays. <br />The Martial Crowns Fatigues demand, <br />And laurell'd Heroes must be tann'd; <br />A Fate, we never can allow <br />Shou'd reach your pleasing, polish'd Brow. <br />But granting what so young you've writ, <br />From Nature flow'd, as well as Wit; <br />And that indeed you Peace pursue, <br />We must begin to Treat with you. <br /> <br /> <br />We Females, Sir, it is I mean: <br />Whilst I, like BRISTOL for the QUEEN, <br />For all the Ladies of your Age <br />As Plenipo' betimes engage; <br />And as first Article declare, <br />You shall be Faithful as you're Fair: <br />No Sighs, when you shall know their Use, <br />Shall be discharg'd in Love's Abuse; <br />Nor kindling Words shall undermine, <br />Till you in equal Passion join. <br />Nor Money be alone your Aim, <br />Tho' you an Over-weight may claim, <br />And fairly build on your Desert, <br />If with your Person goes your Heart. <br />But when this Barrier I have gain'd, <br />And trust it will be well maintain'd; <br />Who knows, but some imprudent She <br />Betraying what's secur'd by me, <br />Shall yield thro' Verse, or stronger Charms, <br />To Treat anew on easier Terms? <br /> <br /> <br />And I be negligently told– <br />You was too Young, and I too Old, <br />To have our distant Maxims hold.<br /><br />Anne Kingsmill Finch<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-edward-jenkinson-esq/
