The Poetical Works of John Dryden, Vol II: The Fair Stranger

The Fair Stranger

[41]

    A SONG.

   1 Happy and free, securely blest,
     No beauty could disturb my rest;
     My amorous heart was in despair,
     To find a new victorious fair.
   2 Till you descending on our plains,
     With foreign force renew my chains:
     Where now you rule without control
     The mighty sovereign of my soul.
   3 Your smiles have more of conquering charms,
     Than all your native country arms;
     Their troops we can expel with ease,
     Who vanquish only when we please.
   4 But in your eyes, oh! there's the spell,
     Who can see them, and not rebel?
     You make us captives by your stay,
     Yet kill us if you go away.
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FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 41: This song is a compliment to the Duchess of Portsmouth, Charles's mistress, on her first coming to England.]

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