MATTHEW PRIOR

I, my dear, was born to-day: Shall I salute the rising ray, Well-spring of all my joy and woe ? Clotilda, thou alone dost know. Shall the wreath surround my hair ? Or shall the music please my ear ? Shall I my comrades' mirth receive, And bless my birth, and wish to live? Then let me see great Venus chase Imperious anger from thy face ; Then let me hear thee smiling say 'Thou, my dear, wert born to-day.'

��426. The Lady who offers her Loo king- Glass to

��\ 7ENUS, take my votive glass :

• Since I am not what I was,

What from this day I shall be, Venus, let me never see.

��427. A Letter

to Lady Margaret Cavendish Holies- Haney^ 'when a Child

JV/JY noble, lovely, little Peggy,

• • • Let this my First Epistle beg ye,

At dawn of morn, and close of even, To lift your heart and hands to Heaven. In double duty say your prayer : Our Father first, then Notre Pere.

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