HERMOCRATES TO EUPHORION

by: Aristaenetus

AYS a girl to her nurse, "I've a tale to unfold,

Of utmost concern to us both;

But first you must swear not to blab when you're told."

--Nurse greedily swallow'd the oath.

 

"I've lost, my dear mother," the innocent said,

"What should be a virgin's chief pride!"--

I wish you had seen what a face the dame made,

And heard how she blubber'd and cried.

 

"Hush, for God's sake," says Miss, in a whispering tone,

The people will hear you within;

You have sworn to discover my secret to none,

Then why such a horrible din?

 

"My virtue long all opposition withstood,

And scorn'd at Love's efforts to flinch;

It retreated at last--but as slow as it could,

Disputing the ground inch by inch.

 

"In vain to my aid did I reason invoke;

Young Cupid no reason could quell;

He'd got root in my heart, and there grew like an oak,

So I fell--but reluctantly fell.

 

"Yet surely young Lysias has charms to betray;

Too charming, alas, to be true!

But you never heard the soft things he can say--

Ah! would I had ne'er heard them too:

 

"For now that the spoiler has robb'd me of all

My innocent heart used to prize,

He cruelly mocks at my tears as they fall--

The tears he has drawn from my eyes."

 

"You've play'd a sad game," cried the matron, aghast;

"Besides, you disgrace my grey head:

But since no reflections can alter what's past,

Cheer up--there's no more to be said.

 

"Cheer up, child, I say; why, there's no such great crime;

Sure I too have met with false men:

I've known what it was to be trick'd in my time;

But I know too--to trick them again.

 

"But do so no more; lest, should you be rash,

Your apron-strings publish your tricks:

Your father, I hope, has a round sum of cash,

And soon on your husband will fix.

 

"Some innocent swain, (if such innocence be!)

Unskill'd in the myst'ries of love;

Whose gallantry ne'er went 'yond Phyllis's knee,

Or fast'ning the garter above.

 

"My humble petition may Jupiter hear,

And grant that you quickly may wed."--

"So at present, dear mother, I've nothing to fear

No tale-telling urchin to dread?"--

 

"You're safe, my dear daughter, I fancy, as yet;

And when at the altar you're tied,

I'll teach you a method your husband to cheat,

For a virgin, as well as a bride."

 

TRANSLATED BY RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN (1751-1816) AND MR. HALHED

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