THE BEAUTIES OF COW PE R. PART IV. THE POET'S ACCOUNT OF HIS OWN TIMES. THE world and I fortuitously met; I ow'd a trifle, and have paid the debt; Great changes and new manners have occurr'd, And he grown chaste that was the slave of lust; The gamester may have cast his cards away, It has indeed been told me (with what weight, That certain feasts are instituted now, Where Venus hears the lover's tender vow; And echo learns politely to repeat The praise of names for ages obsolete; That having prov'd the weakness, it should seem, To bring the passions under sober sway, The change shall please, nor shall it matter aught "Tis time, however, if the case stands thus, |