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N RECEIVING FROM THE EIGHT HON. THE LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY[63] A STANDISHAND TWO PENS. 1 Yes, I beheld the Athenian queenDescend in all her sober charms;'And take,' she said, and smiled serene,'Take at this hand celestial arms: 2 'Secure the radiant weapons wield;This golden lance shall guard desert;And if a vice dares keep the field,This steel shall stab it to the heart.' 3 Awed, on my bended knees I fell,Received the weapons of the sky;And dipp'd them in the sable well,The fount of fame or infamy. 4 'What well? what weapon?' Flavia cries--'A standish, steel, and golden pen!It came from Bertrand's,[64] not the skies;I gave it you to write again. 5 'But, friend, take heed whom you attack;You'll bring a house (I mean of peers)Red, blue, and green, nay, white and black,L---- and all about your ears. 6 'You'd write as smooth again on glass,And run, on ivory, so glib,As not to stick at fool or ass,[65]Nor stop at flattery or fib.[66] 7 'Athenian queen! and sober charms!I tell ye, fool, there's nothing in't:'Tis Venus, Venus gives these arms;[67]In Dryden's Virgil see the print.[68] 8 'Come, if you'll be a quiet soul,That dares tell neither truth nor lies,[69]I'll list you in the harmless rollOf those that sing of these poor eyes.'
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