Clelia’s Reflections on her self for slighting Philander’s Love, pp.207-209.

[Tea-Table Miscellany Contents]

To the Tune of, The Gallant Shoe-maker

– 

YOung Philander woo’d me lang, 

But I was peevish, and forbad him, 

I wadna tent his loving sang, 

But now I wish, I wish I had him: 

Ilk morning when I view my glass, 

Then I perceive my beauty going; 

And when the wrinkles seize the face, 

Then we may bid adieu to wooing. 

– 

My beauty, anes so much admir’d, 

I find it fading fast, and flying; 

My cheeks, which coral like appear’d, 

Grow pale, the broken blood decaying: 

Ah! we may see our selves to be 

Like summer fruit that is unshaken, 

When ripe, they soon fall down and die, 

And by corruption quickly taken. 

– 

Use then your time, ye virgins fair, 

Employ your day before ‘tis evil; 

Fifteen is a season rare, 

But five and twenty is the devil. 

Just when ripe, consent unto’t, 

Hug nae mair your lanely pillow; 

Women are like other fruit, 

They lose their relish when too mellow. 

– 

If opportunity be lost, 

You’ll find it hard to be regained; 

Which now I may tell to my cost, 

Tho’ but my sell nane can be blamed: 

If then your fortune you respect, 

Take the occasion when it offers; 

Nor a true lover’s suit neglect, 

Lest ye be scoff’d for being scoffers. 

– 

I, by his fond expressions, thought 

That in his love he’d ne’er prove changing; 

But now, alas! ‘tis turn’d to nought, 

And, past my hope, he’s gane a ranging. 

Dear maidens, then take my advice, 

And let na coyness prove your ruin; 

For if ye be o’er foolish nice, 

Your suiters will give over wooing. 

– 

Then maidens auld you nam’d will be, 

And in that fretfu’ rank be number’d, 

As lang as life; and when ye die, 

With leading apes be ever cumber’d: 

A punishment, and hated brand, 

With which nane of us are contented; 

Then be not wise behind the hand, 

That the mistake may be prevented. 

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