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Showing posts with label Matthew Prior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew Prior. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Merchant to Secure His Treasure by Matthew Prior

The merchant, to secure his treasure,
Conveys it in a borrow'd name:
Euphelia serves to grace my measure,
But Cloe is my real flame.

My softest verse, my darling lyre
Upon Euphelia's toilet lay—
When Cloe noted her desire
That I should sing, that I should play.

My lyre I tune, my voice I raise,
But with my numbers mix my sighs;
And whilst I sing Euphelia's praise,
I fix my soul on Cloe's eyes.

Fair Cloe blush'd; Euphelia frown'd:
I sung, and gazed; I play'd, and trembled
And Venus to the Loves around
Remark'd how ill we all dissembled.