New poems, songs, prologues, and epilogues never before printed / written by Thomas Duffett ; and set by the most eminent musicians about the town.

A Rant against the God of Love.

I.

THou damn'd perpetual peevish folly, Curse of a quiet life, Father and Child of lazy Melancholy, Author of publick care and secret strife, Expensive ruine, everlasting cheat, Belov'd consumption of the great, Plague of the poor: Son of a salted frothy Whore; Whose Emblematick birth, Foretold her mischiefs to the misbelieving Earth▪

II.

So rotten and so base The Embryo was, The Gods in Heav'n and Earth▪ could find no place

Impure enough for such vile Midwifry, But drenched it in the Worlds sink, the Sea; There by the rapid motion, And the briny pickle of the Ocean, Which like a sickly Stomach, strove To disembogue the Potion On the resisting Rocks, who drove The Poyson back again Into the troubl'd main: Preserv'd from dissolution, It became The Queen of Beauty, Lust and Shame.

III.

Thy lawless Sire, Compos'd of Rapine, Blood and Fire. God of destructive Rage, and War; Lean Poverty and Desolation, are The Blessings which do fall from his vainglorious Car.

With horrid slaughter all imbru'd, With Curses and with hate pursu'd, He Venus woo'd: The Union of this matchless pair, Of Rash and Brave, Lustful and Fair, Produc'd this most accomplish'd Heir; An Off-spring for such Parents fit, Eternal Moth of Treasure, Peace and Wit.