STATE & AMBITION.  
A New SONG AT THE DUKE'S THEATRE.  
 

I.  
STate and Ambition alas will deceive ye,  
there's no solid joy but the Blessing of Love,  
Scorn does of Pleasure fair Silvia bereave ye,  
your fame is not perfect till that your remove:  
Monarch's that sway the vast Globe in their glory  
now Love is their brightest jewel of Power,  
Poor Strephon's heart was ordained to Adore ye,  
ah! then disdain his passion no more.   

II.  
Jove in his Throne was the Victim of Beauty,  
his thunder laid by, he from Heaven came down  
Shaped like a Swan, to fair Leda paid duty,  
& prized her far more than his Heavenly Crown:  
She too was pleased with her Beautiful Lover,  
she stracked his fair Plumes and feasted her eye,  
And he too in loving, knew well how to move her  
by Billing begins the Business of joys.   

III.  
Since Divine powers example have given,  
if we do not follow their precepts we sin,  
Sure 'twill appear an affront to their Heaven,  
if when the Gates open we enter not in:  
Beauty my dearest was from the beginning,  
ordained to cool Man's Amorous rage,  
And she that against that decree will be sinning,  
in Spring she will find the Winter of Age.   

IV.  
Think on the pleasure while love's in it glory,  
let not your scorn loves great Altar disgrace,  
The time it may come when no Swain will adore ye  
or smooth the least wrinkle age lays on your face  
Then hast to enjoyment whilst love is fresh blooming,  
and I in my height and vigour of day,  
Each minute we lose our pleasure's consuming,  
and seven years to come will not one past repay.   

V.  
Think my dear Silvia, the Heavenly blessing,  
of loving in Youth is the Crown of our days,  
Short are the hours where Love is possessing,  
but tedious the minutes when crossed with delays  
Love's the soft Anvil where Nature's agreeing,  
all Mankind are formed, and by it they move,  
'Tis thence my dear Silvia and I have our being,  
the Cesar and Swain spring from Almighty love.   

VI  
I see my dear Silvia at last has consented,  
that Blush in your Cheek does plainly appear,  
And nought but delay shall be ever repent,  
so faithful i'll prove, and so true to my dear:  
Then Hymen prepare, and light all thy Torches,  
perfume thy head Altar, and strew all the way,  
By little degrees Love makes his approaches,  
but Revels at Night for the loss of the Day.    

Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Ball and Harp, near the Bear-Tavern, in Pie-corner. 1684.