Poem by Stephen Duck

The Absent Lover

ALEXIS, walking in the Park,
Met CHLOE, just before 'twas dark:
He ask'd a Kiss, nor she deny'd;
I don't know what they did beside:
But, as a Child, in Thought, chews o'er
The Sweetmeats, which he eat before;
So in his Mind ALEXIS keeps
The dear Impression of her Lips:
He felt it all the foll'wing Day,
At Night indulg'd it at the Play;
One ling'ring Act he musing stay'd,
But knew not what the Actors said;
He thought the Park in Drury-lane,
Believ'd the Nymph appear'd again;
He seems to view her snowy Neck,
Her ruby Lip, and rosy Cheek,
Her graceful Smiles, and sparkling Eyes,
Her panting Bosom fall and rise:
And now he clasp'd her in his Arms,
('Twas all imaginary Charms)
When, rising to the Height of Bliss,
His Lips essay'd to take a Kiss;
An Orange-wench trod on his Foot;
And screaming, "Will you have some Fruit?"
Surpriz'd, he dropt the pleasing Theme,
And found his Joys a waking Dream;
He swore, and wept, and kick'd the Wench,
For go this Hat, and left the Bench.

1. Chloe's Conquest
2. Gratitude
3. To the Author of a Poem on the Duke of Lorrain's Arrival at the British Court
4. On the Marriage of His Serene Highness the Prince of Orange
5. A Pastoral Elegy

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