The Fruitless Caution

Am.

Take heed, fair Caelia, how you slight
The Youth that courts you now;
For though fresh Charms, like dawning Light,
Still flourish on your Brow,
Yet fairest Days must know a Night,
And so, alas! must Thou:

In vain, in vain
You'l then complain,
In vain your Scorn and Cruelty bemone;
For none can prove
So dull, to love,
When Age approaches, or when Beauty's gone.

Caelia.
Cease, Fond Amintor, cease your Suit,
For 'tis but urg'd in vain;
Who'd sow where they can reap no Fruit
But Anguish and Disdain?
Your whining Passion I despise,
And hearken to't no more
Than the deaf Winds to Seamen's cries
When all the Billows roar:
For if when Youth and Beauty's gone
I must be scorn'd of Men,
I'le now revenge, e're Age come on,
My Persecution then.