Poetical recreations consisting of original poems, songs, odes, &c. with several new translations : in two parts / part I, occasionally written by Mrs. Jane Barker, part II, by several gentlemen of the universities, and others.
About this Item
Title
Poetical recreations consisting of original poems, songs, odes, &c. with several new translations : in two parts / part I, occasionally written by Mrs. Jane Barker, part II, by several gentlemen of the universities, and others.
Author
Barker, Jane.
Publication
London :: Printed for Benjamin Crayle ...,
1688.
Rights/Permissions
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Subject terms
English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700.
Songs, English -- Texts.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A30923.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Poetical recreations consisting of original poems, songs, odes, &c. with several new translations : in two parts / part I, occasionally written by Mrs. Jane Barker, part II, by several gentlemen of the universities, and others." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A30923.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 15, 2024.
Pages
descriptionPage 38
Necessity of Fate.
I.
IN vain, in vain it is, I find,To strive against our Fate,We may as well command the Wind,Or th' Seas rude Waves to gentle manners bind,Or to Eternity prescribe a date,As frustrate ought that Fortune has design'd.For when we think we're Politicians grown,And live by methods of our own;We then obsequiously obeyHer Dictates, and a blindfull Homage pay.
II.
For were't not so, surely I cou'd not beStill slave to Rhime, and lazy Poetry;I who so oft have strove,My freedom to regain;And sometimes too, for my assistance tookBusiness, and sometimes too a Book;Company, and sometimes Love:
descriptionPage 39
All which proves vain,For I can only ••hake, but not cast off my Chain.
III.
Ah cruel Fate! all this thou did'st sore-show,Ev'n when I was a Child;When in my Picture's handMy Mother did command,There shou'd be drawn a Lawrel-bough:Lo then my Muse sat by and smil'd,To hear how some the Sentence did oppose,Saying an Apple, Bird, or RoseWere objects which did more be••itMy childish years, and no less childish wit.
IV.
But my smiling Muse well knew that cons••ant Fate,Her promise wou'd compleat;For Fate at my initiation,In the Muses Congregation,As my Responsor promis'd then for me,I shou'd forsake those three,
descriptionPage 40
Soaring honours, and vain sweets of pleasure,And vainer fruits of worldly treasure;All for the Muses Melancholy Tree,E're I knew ought of its great Mystery.Ah gentle Fate, since thou wilt have it so,Let thy kind hand exalt it to my brow.
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