Female poems on several occasions written by Ephelia.

About this Item

Title
Female poems on several occasions written by Ephelia.
Author
Ephelia, fl. 1679.
Publication
London :: Printed by William Downing, for James Courtney,
1679.
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Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A54711.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Female poems on several occasions written by Ephelia." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A54711.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 18, 2024.

Pages

Page 51

The Twin Flame.

FAntastick, wanton God, what do'st thou mean To break my Rest? make me grow pale and lean, And offer Sighs, and yet not know to who, Or what's more strange, to sigh at once for two. Tyrant! Thou know'st I was thy Slave before, And humbly did thy Deity Adore: I lik'd, nay, doated on my Strephon's Face, And Sung his Praise, and thine in every place. My Soul he singly sway'd, alone possest My Love, and reign'd sole Monarch of my Breast: Was not all this enough? but thou fond Boy, Wanton with too much Pow'r, (thy Self t'employ) Must In my Breast (oh! let it ne're be told) Kindle new Flame, yet not put out the Old? Young Clovis now, (though I oppose in vain) Succeeds not Strephon, but doth with him Reign:

Page 52

And I, though both I love, dare neither choose, Lest gaining one, I shou'd the other loose: Both Fires are equal great, Flame equal high, Yet spight of this, a difference I descry; One wild and raging, furiously Devours My Peace, my Rest, and all my pleasant Hours; The other mild and gentle, like those Fires That melt Perfumes, creates as sweet desires: That doth with Violence to Passion tend, This climbs no higher than the name of Friend. Yes, greedy Strephon, you shall ever be My only Love, and singly Reign o're me: My Passion you shall Monopolize, You've such resistless Magick in your Eyes. Though Clovis Merits yours do far transcend, Yet I'm your Lover, and but Clovis Friend; Blindly I love you, yet too plain discover, He'l prove a better Friend then you a Lover. Accept sweet Clovis of that little part I can present of my unruly Heart.

Page 53

Cou'd I command my Love, or know a way My Stubborn, lawless Passion to sway, My Love I wou'd not Parcel, nor bestow A little Share, where more than all I owe: This undeserving Strephon I wou'd teare From my fond Breast, and place your Merit there: But 'tis not in my Pow'r, some hidden Fate Compels me love Him that I strive to Hate. That Love we to our Prince or Parents pay, I'le bear to you, and love an humble way: I'le pay you Veneration for your Love, And your Admirer, not your Mistress prove. Oh! be contented with the Sacred Name Of Friend, and an inviolable Flame For you I will preserve, and the first place Of all the few I with that Title grace: And yet this Friendship doth so fast improve, I dread, lest it in time shou'd grow to Love.
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