To a Fair Lady, Playing With a Snake

1 Strange! that such horror and such grace
Should dwell together in one place;
A fury’s arm, an angel’s face!

2 ’Tis innocence, and youth, which makes
In Chloris’ fancy such mistakes,
To start at love, and play with snakes.

3 By this and by her coldness barr’d,
Her servants have a task too hard;
The tyrant has a double guard!

4 Thrice happy snake! that in her sleeve
May boldly creep; we dare not give
Our thoughts so unconfined a leave.

5 Contented in that nest of snow
He lies, as he his bliss did know,
And to the wood no more would go.

6 Take heed, fair Eve! you do not make
Another tempter of this snake;
A marble one so warm’d would speak.