An Ode

Matthew Prior

The merchant, to secure his treasure,
  Conveys it in a borrowed name:
Euphelia serves to grace my measure;
  But Chloe is my real Flame.

My softest verse, my darling lyre
  Upon Euphelia’s toilet lay;
When Chloe noted her desire,
  That I should sing, that I should play.

My lyre I tune, my voice I raise;
  But with my numbers mix my sighs:
And whilst I sing Euphelia’s praise,
  I fix my soul on Chloe’s eyes.

Fair Chloe blush’d: Euphelia frowned:
  I sung and gazed:  I played and trembled:
And Venus to the Loves around
  Remarked, how ill we all dissembled.

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