A PRESENT TO A YOUNG LADY WITH A PAIR OF STOCKINGS. Anonymous Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
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Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
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Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T124631 1073 K099398.000 Mendez, Moses. A collection of the most esteemed pieces of poetry: that have appeared for several years. With variety of originals, by the late Moses Mendez, Esq; and other contributors to Dodsley's collection. To which this is intended as a supplement. London printed for Richardson and Urquhart 1767 pp. 167-170. [8],320p. ; 8⁰.

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A PRESENT TO A YOUNG LADY WITH A PAIR OF STOCKINGS . BY — , FELLOW OF — CAMBRIDGE . TO please the Fair , what different ways Each lover acts his part ; One tenders snuff , another praise , A toothpick , or a heart ! Alike they all , to gain their end , Peculiar arts disclose ; While I , submissive , only send An humble pair of hose . Long may they guard , from cold and harm , The snowy limbs that wear 'em , And kindly lend their influence warm To ev'ry thing that's near 'em . But let it not be faulty deem'd , Nor move your indignation , If I a little partial seem'd In gifts or commendation : Each fair perfection to display Would far exceed my charter , My humble Muse must never stray Above the knee or garter . And who did e'er a subject view So worthy to be prais'd , Or from so fair foundation knew So fine a structure rais'd ? Thou learned leach , sage Kember , say , ( In spite of drugs and plaisters ) You who can talk the live-long day Of buildings and pilasters : You who for hours have rov'd about Thro' halls and colonades , And scarce would deign to tread on aught But arches and arcades : Did you , in all your mazy rounds , Two nobler pillars view ? What yielding marble ere was found So exquisitely true ? The swelling dome , with stately show , May many fancies please , I view content what lies below The cornice of the frieze ; The lovely twins , so white , so round , That bear the noble pile , Must soon proceed from Venus' mound , Or from Cythera's isle . Propitious Fates preserve them safe , And keep them close together , And grant they may the malice brave Of man as well as weather . From luckless love , or rancour base , May never harm attend 'em , And grant , whatever be the case , That I may still defend 'em . By gentle , generous love 'tis true , They never can miscarry , No ill can come , no loss ensue , From honest , harmless Harry . But should a knight of greater heat Precipitate invade , Believe me , Bell , they then may need Some seasonable aid . O may I ready be at hand From every harm to screen 'em , Then , Samson-like , I'll take my stand , And live , or die between 'em .