Poems upon several occasions with, A voyage to the island of love / by Mrs. A. Behn.

The City of DISCRETION.

THE Houses there, retir'd in Gardens are, And all is done with little noise, One seldom sees Assemblies there, Or publick shows for Grief or Ioys. One rarely walks but in the Night, And most endeavour to avoid the Light. There the whole World their bus'ness carry, Without or confident, or Secretary: One still is under great constraint, Must always suffer, but ne'r make complaint, 'Tis there the dumb and silent languishes, Are predic'd, which so well explain the Heart: Which without speaking can so much express, And secrets to the Soul the nearest way impart; Language which prettily perswades belief; Who's silent Eloquence obliges Ioy or Grief.

This City's called Discretion, being the name Of her that is Lieutenant of the same, And Sister to Respect; a Lady who Seldom obtains a Conquest at first view; But in repeated Visits one shall find, Sufficient Charms of Beauty and of Mind: Her vigorous piercing Eyes can when they please, Make themselves lov'd, and understood with Ease. Not too severe, but yet reserv'd and wise, And her Address is full of subtilties; Which upon all occasions serves her turn; T' express her Kindness, and to hide her scorn; Dissimulations Arts, she useful holds, And in good manners sets 'em down for rules. Twas here Aminta liv'd, and here I paid My constant visits to the lovely Maid. With mighty force upon my Soul I strove, To hide the Sent'ments of my raging Love. All tha•• I spoke did but indifferent seem, Or went no higher than a great esteem.

But 'twas not long my Passion I conceal'd, My flame in spight of me, it self reveal'd.