Born with the Vices of my kind,
I should inconstant be;
Dear Celia , could I rambling find,
More Beauty than in thee:
The rolling Surges of my Blood,
By Virtue now grown low;
Should a new Show'r encrease the Flood,
Too soon would overflow.
But Frailty (when thy Face I see)
Does modestly retire;
Uncommon must her Graces be,
Whose Look can bound desire:
Not to my Virtue, but thy Pow'r,
This Constancy is due;
When Change itself can give no more,
'Tis easy to be true.
I should inconstant be;
Dear Celia , could I rambling find,
More Beauty than in thee:
The rolling Surges of my Blood,
By Virtue now grown low;
Should a new Show'r encrease the Flood,
Too soon would overflow.
But Frailty (when thy Face I see)
Does modestly retire;
Uncommon must her Graces be,
Whose Look can bound desire:
Not to my Virtue, but thy Pow'r,
This Constancy is due;
When Change itself can give no more,
'Tis easy to be true.