Odes 2.8 (Creech): Ulla Si Juris

BArine did revenge or'take,
And blast as oft as you deceive;
Were but one Nail, one Tooth more black,
Thy Vows I would at last believe:

But still more fair, more bright thy Face,
More Crowds of Lovers flock to view,
As each false Oath procur'd a grace
And tempted Thee to prove untrue:

It profits Thee to be forsworn
By all that other Mortals fear,
Th' eternal Gods, thy Mothers Urn,
By whirling Heaven, and every Star:

The merry Nymphs approve thy Arts,
And Venus fair forgives thy Wiles,
And Cupid, sharpning flaming Darts
On bloody Whetstones, gently smiles:

Besides new Slaves still flock to Thee,
And happy He that takes the Chain;
And those that threaten to be free
Forgive the jilt, and serve again:

Thee still the thrifty Father fears,
And Mothers for their wanton Boys.
New Brides lest you detain their Dears,
And rob them of their promis'd joys: