Colin And Belinda: A Dialogue Poem by Cornelius Arnold

As Colin was tripping it over the Green,
By Way of a Walk for to drive out the Spleen;
It chanc'd that Belinda he met on the Way,
Belinda the fair, the young and the gay:
He guest as she thought herself handsome and tall,
That the Pride of her Heart wou'd give her a Fall;
He knew by the Air of her swimming along,
That she thought she had lived a Maiden full long.

Colin


Dear Fair one! he cry'd, my Eyes never were blest
With such Beauty and Grace as in you is exprest;
You're some Goddess I'm sure playing o'Tricks,
Come down from above us poor Mortals to vex:

Belinda


Ah! Men, she reply'd, thus all of you say,
When you purpose to draw us poor Maidens away;
Then ye tell us we're handsome, ye flatter and vow,
Protest ye ne'er knew what was Beauty 'till now.

Colin

Let him that disputes it once look on these Eyes,
That illumine our Sphere as the Stars do the Skies;
Let him view but this Bosom, this Shape and this Air,
Let him then if he can dissemble his Care;
Let him feel but the Tortures I feel in my Breast,
He'll find 'tis you only can lull 'em to Rest:
Ah! fairest of Creatures! can these Looks inspire
The fierce Rage of Love's Flame, and not quench the Fire?
Can such Beauty as this so tyrannical prove,
As to put by at once my first Essay of Love?
For I ne'er lov'd 'till now.

Bel


Can I believe you?

Col


you may,
And I'll prove as constant and true as the Day.

Bel


Aye, say you so? then I will tell you my Mind,
My Heart 'till this Instant to Love ne'er inclin'd;
When others addrest me, I was deaf to the Joy,
When Cupid attack'd me, I laugh'd at the Boy;
But your Words and your Looks so tenderly move,
'Tis in vain to resist the sweet Pow'r of Love:
For I find the Time's come.

Col


Aye, Charmer it is,
And not to make Use on't wou'd be highly amiss;
Come, come to my Arms.

Bel


I mustn't.

Col


You shall.

Bel


Ah! me,
Fate and Fortune's to blame, and all must obey.

Col


Then leave it to them.

Bel

how I tremble all o'er!
A shudd'ring Chillness obstructs ev'ry Pore.

Colin


open'd a Vein, on the Remedy hit,
He thoroughly warm'd her, shook off the cold Fit.