Matthew Prior(1664–1721)
An Ode ("The merchant, to secure his treasure")
T h e m e r c h a n t , t o s e c u r e his treasure,
C o n v e y s it in a b o r r o w e d n a m e ;
E u p h e l i a serves t o grace m y m e a s u r e , 6
B u t C l o e i s m y real f l a m e .
My s o f t e s t verse, my darling lyre,
Upon Euphelia's toilet 0 lay;dressing table
W h e n C l o e n o t e d h e r desire
T h a t I s h o u l d sing, that I s h o u l d play.
My lyre I t u n e , my v o i c e I raise,
But with my numbers 0 mix my sighs;songs
A n d w h i l s t I s i n g E u p h e l i a ' s praise,
I fix my s o u l on C l o e ' s e y e s .
Fair C l o e b l u s h e d ; E u p h e l i a f r o w n e d ;
I s u n g a n d gazed; I p l a y e d a n d t r e m b l e d ;
A n d V e n u s to t h e L o v e s a r o u n d 7
R e m a r k e d h o w ill w e all d i s s e m b l e d .