The Decision of Fortune. A FABLE. Anne Finch (née Kingsmill), countess of Winchilsea Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T94539 pp. 274-5 K076314.000 Winchilsea, Anne Kingsmill Finch, Countess of, 1661-1720. Miscellany poems, on several occasions: Written by the Right Honble Anne, Countess of Winchilsea. London printed for J. B. and sold by Benj. Tooke, William Taylor, and James Round 1713 pp. 51-55. [8],390p. ; 8⁰.

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The Decision of Fortune . A FABLE . FOrtune well-Pictur'd on a rolling Globe , With waving Locks , and thin transparent Robe , A Man beholding , to his Neighbour cry'd , Whoe'er would catch this Dame , must swiftly ride . Mark , how she seems to Fly , and with her bears , All that is worth a busie Mortal's Cares : The gilded Air about her Statue shines , As if the Earth had lent it all her Mines ; At random Here a Diadem she slings , And There a scarlet Hat with dangling Strings , And to ten Thousand Fools ten Thousand glorious Things . Shall I then stay at Home , Dull and Content With Quarter-Days , and hard extorted Rent ? No , I'll to Horse , to Sea , to utmost Isles , But I'll encounter her propitious Smiles : Whilst you in slothful Ease may chuse to Sleep , And scarce the few Paternal Acres keep . Farewel , reply'd his Friend , may you advance , And grow the Darling of this Lady Chance : Whilst I indeed , not courting of her Grace , Shall dwell content , in this my Native Place , Hoping I still shall for your Friend be known : But if too big for such Acquaintance grown , I shan't be such a fond mistaken Sot , To think Remembrance shou'd become my Lot ; When you Exalted , have your self Forgot . Nor me Ambitious ever shall you find , Or hunting Fortune , who , they say , is Blind : But if her Want of Sight shou'd make her Stray , She shou'd be Welcome , if she came this Way . 'Tis very like ( the Undertaker cry'd ) That she her Steps to these lost Paths shou'd guide : But I lose Time , whilst I such Thoughts deride . Away he goes , with Expectation chear'd , But when his Course he round the World had steer'd , And much had borne , and much had hop'd and fear'd , Yet cou'd not be inform'd where he might find This fickle Mistress of all Human-kind : He quits at length the Chace of flying Game , And back as to his Neighbor's House he came , He there encounters the uncertain Dame ; Who lighting from her gaudy Coach in haste , To him her eager Speeches thus addrest . Fortune behold , who has been long pursu'd , Whilst all the Men , that have my Splendors view'd , Madly enamour'd , have such Flatt'ries forg'd , And with such Lies their vain Pretensions urg'd , That Hither I am fled to shun their Suits , And by free Choice conclude their vain Disputes ; Whilst I the Owner of this Mansion bless , And he unseeking Fortune shall possess . Tho' rightly charg'd as something Dark of Sight , Yet Merit , when 'tis found , is my Delight ; To Knaves and Fools , when I've some Grace allow'd , 'Thas been like scatt'ring Money in a Croud , To make me Sport , as I beheld them strive , And some observ'd ( thro' Age ) but Half-alive ; Scrambling amongst the Vigorous and Young , One proves his Sword , and One his wheedling Tongue , All striving to obtain me right or wrong : Whilst Crowns , and Crosiers in the Contest hurl'd , Shew'd me a Farce in the contending World . Thou wert deluded , whilst with Ship , or Steed , Thou lately didst attempt to reach my Speed , And by laborious Toil , and endless Pains , Didst sell thy Quiet for my doubtful Gains Whilst He alone my real Fav'rite rises , Who every Thing to its just Value prizes , And neither courts , nor yet my Gifts despises .