Classic Poem

Cloe, this comes to let you know
With me your Slave how Matters go——
But oh, what Words contain the Force!
'Tis cold, to say they ne'er were worse——
For Bus'ness I am no more fit
Than powder'd Fop, or pension'd Wit:
I feed not as I us'd to do;
And if I Sleep I dream of you.
In sober sadness I'm so bad,
You must be kind, or I run mad;
Or, what's still worse, my Heart will break,
Dear cruel Cloe , for thy Sake.
 If this wont move a Heart of Flint,
If this be'nt Love, the Devil's in't;
When you, or Bedlam , or the Grave,
Must your poor, pining Suppliant have!

 Perhaps you'll say, you want to know
What sort of Kindness you must show——
Why Honey, you as much may guess,
Or more, than I may care t'express;
However, if I must be free,
Mind what I say, and gen'rous be.

 You're not so young but you have felt
Your Bosom heave, and Spirits melt;
Thought what your Parents did before;
Been sure of much, and guess'd at more——
You know, when Hands and Hearts combine,
'Tis but that——Something else may join;
That this is what we Suitors want,
With all our whining, formal Cant:
And, whatsoever some pretend,
When Women yield, 'tis for this End.——

 And must I tell you, after this,
That I pursue this mutual Bliss?
The Bliss which you have long'd to try,
I dare to say, as much as I?——
If not for mine, for your own Sake,
Bless me with what you must partake!

 But, least you should misconstrue here,
I'll just explain myself, my Dear——
I would not lead your Mind astray:
I mean, in matrimonial Way:
Let Band and Cassock join us first——
I'll love you duly——come the worst.——

  Cloe , you see I must be plain——
If then you pity all my Pain,
And can, and will, redress my Woe,
Say yes at once,—if not, say no——
If you'll be marry'd, I'm your Man———
If not——I must do——how I can.——

 Says Cupid , you shall love her still———
Then one Word more I must and will—
At least, may this be not in vain!
If Rival Youths you entertain;
And if, without Remorse of Mind,
To more than one you can be kind;
If Change of Dishes please you best;
Let me be serv'd among the rest——
But if to neither you'll agree,
This Billet burn, and pardon me.