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

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