The Inconstant. A Paraphrase on the XV. Epod of Horace. Nahum Tate 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. Tate, Nahum, c. 1652-1715. Poems by N. Tate. London Printed by T.M. for Benj. Tooke ... 1677 pp. 100-101. [15],133p.

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The Inconstant . A Paraphrase on the XV. Epod of Horace . PRecisely I remember All , 'twas Night , Calm Skye , and the full Moon shone bright , When first you Swore , that bleating Flocks shou'd feed With Wolves , nor other Keepers need ; That boistrous Winds husht in Eternal sleep , Shou'd cease to Revel on the Deep ; You Vow'd that these , and Prodigies more strange Shou'd fall e're your fixt Heart cou'd change . Yet ( Woman-like ) to your new Fav'rite now , Unswear as oft as you did Vow ! Ah ! if I cou'd ( and sure if half a man , Or some what less than half , I can ) Cou'd I in just Resentment quit your Chain , And with more caution chuse again ; Nymph , you'd Repent my wrongs , when flying Fame Shou'd publish to your grief and shame , How your wrong'd Swain had found a Nymph more True And equal in her Charms to You . But Treach'rous Rival , you that reap my Toils , And Pride your self in my stoln spoils , Shou'd Fates and Stars Adopt you for their own , And show'r their richest Blessings down , Nought shou'd secure you from the sure Praesage Of an Offended Poet's Rage . The time shall come ( and to inhance your sear , Know , Wretch , that fatal time is near ) When you shall perish by th' Inconstancy Of Her that first learnt breach of Faith from thee ; Whilst from the safe shore your sad wreck I see .