The Lover's Request:
OR,
A DIALOGUE between a Young Man and a Beautiful Maiden, whom he much ad
mired, and of their happy Agreement in the Bonds of Love .
To a pleasant New Tune . Licensed according to Order .
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Young Man .
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FAirest Sisley , let me move thee,
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[S]o I do in Conscience love thee;
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I am faithful true, and loyal,
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Don[']t retu[r]n me a Denial;
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If you will not soon relieve me,
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Death will in his Arms receive me;
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Then you never can recover,
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After Death, your breathless Lover.
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Maiden .
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'Tis not I that can believe you,
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Yet I'll venture to receive you,
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And will ease you of your anguish,
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Loth I am to see you languish;
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But you Men are so deceiving,
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That there can be no believing
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What you say; then I'll not love you;
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First I'll try thee, thus I'll prove thee.
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Young Man .
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Dear, I dote upon thy Beauty,
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And account it still my Duty,
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To admire thy sweet Graces,
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And with tender soft Embraces
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Still our Joys shall be repeated,
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Till our Blessings are compleated:
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Therefore do not once deny me,
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None but thee shall e'er lye by me.
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Maiden .
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Sir, you seem a fond Pretender,
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And if I should soon surrender,
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Like a true entire Lover,
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I too soon might then discover
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Your deceit of Love and Blessing,
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While you are indeed possessing
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Joys which you in others center;
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Therefore I am loth to venture.
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Young Man .
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Dearest Love, I do adore thee,
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Constantly I fall before thee;
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Therefore don't deny the Blessing,
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Which I long to be possessing;
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Grant me what I do require,
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For thy Charms I do admire,
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Which is full of Joy and Pleasure,
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In thy Love lies hidden Treasure.
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Maiden .
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I can scarce believe your Story.
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Young Men blast fair Womens Glory,
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By their cunning false delusion;
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So that Dearest, in conclusion,
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We are wrong'd and clearly slight[e]d,
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Just when we should be united,
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By a Frown we soon may sever;
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This wou'd ruine me for ever.
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Young Man .
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Can I wrong so sweet a Creature,
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The Perfection of good Nature,
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On whose Brows I do discover
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Pretty Cupids that do hover
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Round my pretty charming Jewel?
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No, I never will be cruel
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To so sweet a charming Blessing,
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Which I hope to be possessing.
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Maiden .
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Should I once consent to marry,
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Then I fear I might miscarry;
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Love is like a River flowing,
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Often ebbing, likewise going,
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From the heat of fond desire;
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They can never long admire,
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But will change their fond Embraces,
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When they see new cha[rm]ing Faces.
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Maiden .
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I have made my choice already;
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Might I have a youthful Lady,
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Who has Beauty, likewise Treasure,
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I in her could take no pleasure,
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Thou art she whom I admire;
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Grant me then my Heart's desire,
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Let me have thy Love and Favour,
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And I will be thine for ever.
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NINIS .
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