Classic Poem

By Verse and Praise I thought to make her mine,
Her Heart to vanquish, and her Ear incline.
Mistaken Thought! My treach'rous Praise became
A Means of losing the fantastick Dame;
Her lavish Charms I publish'd to the Town,
And all Mankind are now my Rivals grown:
That Muse which did for Me her Love inspire,
Like a false Bawd, has set her out to hire:
Those Strains that did her Vanity increase,
Became the Cause of her Unfaithfulness.
The more my Numbers did her Beauties raise,
The more she scorn'd me for th' exalted Praise:
Proud of my Theme, I set her Charms to view,
When prais'd, th' Ingrate to other Lovers flew.
But must I her Ingratitude accuse,
Or the rash Flights of my applauding Muse?
The Man who vainly does his Gold expose,
Deserves the Treasure, that he boasts, to lose;
Since we to keep our Purse and Mistress too,
Should neither brag of, nor should either shew.