ODE. Written 1739. William Shenstone 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. T131163 K104099.005 Dodsley, Robert, 1703-1764. A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. V. London printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley 1763 [1st ed. 1758] pp. 34-35. 6v.: music; 8⁰.

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ODE . Written 1739. By the Same . Urit spes animi credula mutui . HOR. 'TWAS not by beauty's aid alone . That love usurp'd his airy throne , His boasted power display'd : 'Tis kindness that secures his aim , 'Tis hope that feeds the kindling flame , Which beauty first convey'd . In Clara's eyes , the lightnings view ; Her lips with all the rose's hue Have all its sweets combin'd ; Yet vain the blush , and faint the fire , 'Till lips at once , and eyes conspire To prove the charmer kind — Tho' wit might gild the tempting snare , With softest accent , sweetest air , By Envy's self admir'd ; If Lesbia's wit betray'd her scorn , In vain might every grace adorn , What every Muse inspir'd . Thus airy Strephon turn'd his lyre — He scorn'd the pangs of wild desire , Which love-sick swains endure : Resolv'd to brave the keenest dart ; Since frowns could never wound his heart , And smiles — must ever cure . But ah ! how false these maxims prove , How frail security from love , Experience hourly shows ! Love can imagin'd smiles supply , On every charming lip and eye Eternal sweets bestows . In vain we trust the Fair-one's eyes ; In vain the sage explores the skies , To learn from stars his fate : 'Till led by fancy wide astray , He finds no planet mark his way ; Convinc'd and wise — too late . As partial to their words we prove ; Then boldly join the lists of love , With towering hopes supply'd : So heroes , taught by doubtful shrines , Mistook their Deity's designs ; Then took the field — and dy'd .