Transcription:
Thro’ fantastic Fairy Bowr’s
Culling meets from Dewy Flowrs,
See Mab the Queen of Fancy riding,
Her chariot Love and Hymen guiding.
Fraught with many a blissful Dream,
Along your rosy Lips to rove
And breathe the tend’rest Kiss of Love:
Nor dread her touch, my Lovely Fair,
She’ll plant no angry Blisters there
But guard with vision pure and Blest
your gentle Bosom’s balmy rest.
And if your waking thoughts incline
To bless your faithful Valentine,
Then each soft dream shall prove a Prize
That Love and Hymen realize.__
Transcription:
No greater Bliss our Book of Fate discloses,
Nor Life affords a Blessing more decided,
Than Love, that on Fidelity reposes,
By meek Affection ever gently guided:
And you, my lovely Fair, shall ever prove
Such meek Affection, and such Faithful Love.
Transcription:
Where shall we find a Jewel rare
To treasure in the Casket fair
Pearls, Emeralds, Rubies shall we muster
Or bring the Diamonds brighter Lustre No Lady No
There is a gem whose brilliant sheen,
Transcends all those whose Ray serene
Far [hapeth] shew
Does Wealth or Pow’r this gem supply
Or Wit or Beautys sparkling Eye
No Lady No
Let Truth the sacred Gift impart
It is an honest faithful Heart.
With tender pure affection giv’n
This richest gem does bounteous Heav’n on you bestow
Transcription:
For you, my Fair, see Fortune showers
Each Bliss her treasures can impart,
And, with her Wealth and Splendor, pours
Love’s dearest gift, a faithful Heart.
What better mode could Fortune find
To prove herself no longer blind?
[Mrs] Ann [R]ussel
Transcription:
Daughter of Love: and memory is her name
hail memory, hail the Lover’s faithful friend,
Who cheer’st the night of absence, [thro’] the gloom,
Bright visions conjuring with silver wand,
And spreading Light soft as the trembling gleam
Of moon Beams on the Lake, be thou the Guard
Of Constancy, and to that gentle Breast
Which then tonight dost visit, [future] forth
The living Image of her faithful Love[!]
And if it [aught] resemble her descent,
How bright[, how] fair! O may she ever bless
Thy Pow’r for many a dear [second’d] of joy
And not one sorrow visit her with thee!
Transcription:
The stormy Crown whose Lustre [c]lear,
Illumes our Norther hemisphere,
With lessen’d radience shines tonight
Dimmed by the living Beams benign,
Of Eyes that greet Saint Valentine,
In Love and Beauty dully bright.
‘Tis well that heavenly bodies know
No dread of rival charms below;
Else might you doubt the gratulation
This Crown presents, since sure to find
The Virtues of your heart and mind,
And fairer, brighter Constellation.
Transcription:
What joys your happy Lot betide!
For you affections bridles Pride
Nor Scorn with Argus Eyes unkind
Shall [mark] your actions too severely
For Love though oft depicted blind
Has here distinguish’d very clearly
A gentle Heart a spotless Mind –
Miss Richards
Transcription:
your merry motley valentine
Greets you his gentle Columbine,
And gladly promises to you
A Lover Chearful, Brave and true
Then join his mirth, approve his spirit,
And with your smiles reward his merit.
Transcription:
Say have you with our soothing Bard,
To Sentiment and mem’ry true
Wish’d “ Lucy at her Wheel might sing
“ In russet Gown and apron blue.[”]
And if to mild domestic Care
She add that so[ul] subduing Tone
That like a “Spirit of the Air
Speaks to our Hearts & breathes [] own”
Then all the joys of Home for you
And Life’s best Bliss, shall daily prove
In softened voice of song, [how true]
That “Love is Heav’n and Heav’n is Love
Transcription:
Has Fortune been to you unkind?
An added Proof the Dame is blind!
And since tonight she made you choose
That awkward Bird, a cackling Goose,
Believe me, Sir, your safest Plan
Will be to think your Goose a Swan:
If wisely you this Scheme pursue
You’ll make the World believe it too
Transcription:
Cross my Hand, worthy Si, and I’ll freely relate
What for you is inscrib’d in the Records of fate;
Whatever of magical skill you can fancy,
Of Palmistry Lines, or expert Chriomancy
I know and am skill’d in Egyptian Astronomy
But an Adept am chiefly in grave Physiognomy:
I know by the Turn of your Nose and your Chin
At Cards you must lose, and in Battle must win
By [the] lines of your Brown, and the form of your Eyes
One may venture to fancy you Valiant and wise.
What more of your Fate would you wish me to [prive]?
Would you know if your Lot is successful in Love?
A Hint shall suffice and since [myst’ry] my Trade is
That Lot you must read in the Eyes of the Ladies.
Transcription:
Ah, [hot] with rash ungovern’d speed
Be passion’s rapid have pursu’d!
Your steps let wary prudence lead,
Lest she you seek your grasp elude:
For oft the flutt’ring heart with prove
A very Butterfly to Love.
But if each kind, each tender care,
That honor sanctions you employ
And every ruder step forbear,
That timid heart to you shall fly;
There, free from all alarm shall rest,
And dwell securely in your breast.
Transcription:
Eye not with scorn the rural Cot,
The woodland Glad, the meadow fair,
Since Love and Peace shall bless your Lot
And form for you an Eden there.
Transcription:
The Choice of Hercules.
By Pleasures siren Accents wooed,
And warn’d by Virtue’s Voice;
Awhile the Hero pensive stood
Then fix’d his glorious Choice
And found, in Virtue’s bright Abode,
The Joys the honors of a God!
O never for the feeling Heart
Be Cup Circean pour’d!
But Virtue purer sweets impart
With Reason’s Blessings stor’d:
Then emulate the Choice divine,
And Bliss shall crown your Valentine.
Transcription:
Around the Elms majestic Form
The Woodbine throws her pliant arms
There shelters safe her blooming Charms
There finds Protection from the Storm
And oer each Proud and lofty Bough
Bids Beauty Grace and sweetness [blow]
So manly sense shall doubly charm
When in its Bosom Love confides
When shielding Innocence from harm
Meek Tenderness it guards and guides
Be you the Elm the graceful Bine
Shall be your faithful Valentine
Transcription:
An Angel? Such the ardent Lover
In youths fond Dream can oft discover!
But he whose calm and tutor’d spirit,
Seeks mortal worth and modest merit,
Who not, with vain and selfish pride
In Heavn’s Perfection decks his Bride,
Shall find, in happy wedded Life,
Angelic Charms to grace the Wife.
Transcription:
The Prize!
Say what may this betide?
It promises a wealthy Bride;
The Queen of Diamonds, formed to shine,
With Treasure of Golconda’s Mine.
And since tis not affirm’d that Wealth
Precludes bright Beauty, Wit, or Wealth.
[I trust] that all to night combine
To bless your favor’s Valentine,
And you may fairly boast her Charm
Who b[r]ings a Milton to your Arms.
Transcription:
Have you, this ev’ning, Lady mine,
Been fishing for a Valentine?
The world may think your fishing deep,
Since golden fish you catch and keep:
But you, tho envy may repine,
Contented keep your Valentine,
And laugh at have who can discover
No fault but wealth to blot your lover.
Transcription:
Unve[x]ed by Storms, untost by Tides,
The Gondola triumphant glides
And Love the Boat delighted guides,
So, on Life’s gentlest Current borne,
By not tempestuous Passions torn,
Shall Love your Fortunes Bark adorn.
Transcription:
With timid footsteps spring advances
To scatter flow’rets [thro’] the Vale
Oft backward turns with fearful glances
And dreads to meet the hostile gale
And so does love at first essay
His influence o’er the heart to gain
By gentle steps pursues his way
And trembles at your Eye disdain
Then cheer his hopes his fears disarm
Your smile can like the sunbeams warm.
Transcription:
1
Mark how Planets all combine
To form your radiant Valentine,
And each its loveliest Lustre wears,
As circling in their Mystic Spheres
They whisper Hope and Joy
2
But know you not, A star more bright
That greets you with a fairer Light,
Whose Aspect to the Lovers Heart,
Can more of Warmth, of Joy impart?
It is your Lady’s Eye.
And that for you with Smiles Divine
Shall still uchang’d, unclouded shine.
Transcription:
Love, on light Wings, as Poets say
From Chime to Chime pursues his Way,
And Show ye not that Love imparts
His pow’r of Flight to Ladies hearts?
Behold a heart which thus prepar’d
Esteems those Wings its holiest Guard:
It flies from Anger’s wordy War,
From Bacchanalian Riot far,
Shuns the coarse manners, vulgar mind,
But Loves to live with Taste refin’d:
And when it finds a gentle Breast,
Where Constancy and honour rest,
If joys a happy home to prove
And yields his useless Wings to Love.
Then make Affection’s Treasures thine,
And greet this tender Valentine.
Transcription:
For you cull’d the vernal sweets,
For you the fairest Flow’rets chose,
His fragrant Breath your Bosom greets
From [op’ning] Pink and dewy Rose;
His [sip] that with the Ruby glow,
Has kist each Flowr of vernal Dye;
But humbler Blooms his Hopes disclose;
One timid Blossom courts your Eye,
And Love shall bless his happy Lot
If you repeat, “Forget me not.”
Transcription:
Not [trimly] deck’d with Fancies fine
Appears your honest Valentine
A plain blunt Soldiers Eloquence
Is simple Truth and common Sense
Though few the Words his Love to shew
He speaks in Thunder to the Foe
Then Lady chuse for Life the Friend
Whose Heart can cherish Hand defend
And sure your Bosoms, best Director
Is such a Husband and Protector.
Transcription:
Mysterious is the mighty Book of Fate;
And dark its answers.__ I have read the stars,
And mark’d their aspects, which benignly glance:
And I have fram’d, with Incantations wild,
And potent Magic, many a subtle spell,
What Lot for you they give: but Fate forbids
To write it plainly: yet this mystic scheme,
Fraught with rude symbols, to your Eye unfolds
Their secret Characters.
Transcription:
Behold [her] heaven directed Hands
Together bound in holy Band[s],
Combine with equal faithful [cl]aim
In cherishing one sacred Flame
This happy omen Lady measure
And greet [yr] Valentine with [pleasure]
Transcription:
Though sweet the Music of the spheres
Why should we seek its strain to know,
It is not heard by mortal Ears,
Nor can on Mortals Bliss bestow.
Though bright the Stars in yonder sky,
No warmth their distant Rays impart,
Thy soften’d Voice and brilliant Eye
Can soothe the soul and warm the heart,
Then sweetly sing and mildly shine
And bid thy Lover’s Bliss be thine.
Transcription:
‘Tis said that when Morning Sun
On Memnon’s famous Statue shone
Warm’d by its rays the chilly Stone
Breath’d Music’s soul-subduing Tone
That fill’d the mystic Temple’s Bounds
With Harmony’s responsive Sounds.
So where your Heart’s fond Prediction
Beam’d on its Object of Affection
It warm’d e’en through its inmost Fold
The Breast, till then reserv’d and cold
And made it vibrate with a Tone
Of Love accorded to your own
That shall to wedded life supply
A just, and sacred Harmony.__
Transcription:
Our cheerful Saint this Emblem traces,
In playful Fancy to discover
How by your aid, all holy Graces
May wait upon your favor’d Lover.
This faith, intensely pure and bright,
No Vapours blot, no wand’rings ma[r]e;
For till your Eye’s celestial Light,
H[av been its] sacred guiding [Star]:
[Hope] too is his; her soothing [Pow’r]
[Bide] many a blissful [Vision] rise,
And whispers each approaching Hour
Those facing Dreams may realize.
Then Lady let your kind Regard
For him combine the sainted three:
His faith accept, his Hope reward
And crown them with your Charity.
Transcription:
Our Saint to-night is proud to bring
The choicest Beauties of the Spring
To breathe their Fragrance here:
In Splendor each Carnation vies
To be esteem’d the fairest prize
That decks the growing year.
Each shelter’d from the Sun’s rude Power,
Protected from the ruder Shower,
In cloister’d Safety dwells.
Many the Rose and Pink admire,
Or yellow Daffodil desire,
And some the fair Blue-Bells.
But you, Sir, I would dare surmise
Will not disdain to take the Prize
Now offer’d to your View:
The fairest, finest, opening Flow’r,
That here adorns this festive Hour
May haply fall to you.
If then, within a Mile or so,
Which is not very far to go,
You see such Beauties grown,
Within a Twelvemonth deign to wed,
The fairest, from its native Bed
Transplanted to your own.
Transcription:
Robin-Good-Fellow. _. “’Tis now the Time, as Swains relate,
When evry Bird selects his Mate;
Now Elves to eastern [Climes] resort,
Their sprightly fairy Dames to court,
And hold their Revels, blythe and boon,
Beneath the [m]ild and dewy Moon:
What, in this consecrated Hour,
Exempt from aught of Mischeifs Pow’r,
[h]as Oberon, mid Lovers [true],
For Robin-Good-Fellow to do?”
Oberon “To Britain’s eastern Coast repair,
Where gently glides the Orwell fair,
There shalt thou find a chearful Dame,
More graced by happiness than Fame,
What gives to-night a festive scene,
In Honor of our Fairy Queen,
And Britain’s loveliest Daughters there
The mental Revel freely share,
And draw the merry Valentine,
Inscrib’d with many a sportive Line:
Go th[e]re, and so the [P]ackets guide
That each, appropriately supplied,
May find an Emblem to impart
The secret Wishes of her Heart,
And Beauty’s animated smile
Shall well reward thy wanton Wile,
And mirth and unaffected Glee
Shall join that gentle Revelry.
I will not, Puck, where all are fair
Presume to bid thee choose the fairest;
But to thy Love this Billet bear,
And when thy Choice thou thus declarest,
Tell her that, in her sparkling Eye,
Such gay good-humour though couldst spy,
Such Wit, thou couldst not but opine
That she would share these Tricks of thine,
And bid that Eyes bright Lustre shine
Approving on her Valentine.
Transcription:
Can you, fair Lady, here discover
A hint to indicate your Lover?
Each honor his profession knows,
This merit’s just reward:
Though dignities and wealth she showers,
How trivial does he feel their powers
Compar’d with your regard.
Transcription:
See b[r]oiling for you a most excellent heart,
Pray don’t let it scorch gentle Lady [or] was[t]e,
We hope with such warmth as its fire can impart,
You’ll presently own it is [dressed] to your taste.
Transcription:
This Valentine a hint imparts
To Ladies who would win in hearts
The ace whose Power commands the whole
[Shews modest] Candor’s pure Control
Then Prudence shines in regal State
With Sensibility his mate
White [gay] good humour n[o]thing [cost]
Attends the Waiting knave of [both]
[h]ail Power’s combin’d to charm and please
The honours of the heart are these
And she who justly these can claim
Shall need no [trick] to win her Game
Transcription:
The Pen and the Pencil your Valentine true,
With Garlands of Roses has circled for you,
But deems not, presumptuous, their magic combin’d
Can picture the charms of his Valentine mind.
Transcription:
Cast on a Rock when Breakers foam,
With scarce a Hope of help on home,
Rejoic’d the Shipwreck’d Sailor Spies
The Life Boat on the Billows rise;
So toss’d by doubts conflicting Waves
Fears restless Breakers foaming [mist],
The Life Boat of Affection saves,
And bears you to a Home of Joy.
Transcription:
On roses cradled Cupid smil’d,
And Beauty lull’d the playful child,
While from her breast the tender dove,
A dowry pillow form’d for Love,-
Calm his repose serenely blest;
But sweeter far shall Cupid rest
If cradled in your gentle breast.
Transcription:
Of old the Heifer crownd with flowers
In Pagan rites was led
A [vic]tim to unhallow’d Pow’rs
And on their Altar bled
But to Affections Altar now
Are [purer] Off’rings given
For Lovers breathe the Holy vow,
Beneath the Eye of Heav’n
And those who hope for wedded Joys
Shall best their vows fulfill
By learning each to sacrifice
A Portrait of their Will
Transcription:
Your’s Lady is the constant Love,
The tender Meekness of the Dove;
In scaly Volumes vainly roll’d,
Shall Falshood wreathe her serpent [F]old,
Shall vainly seek to do you Wrong,
And wield in vain her double Tongue:
Serene you walk, your sure Defence
The Bride of conscious Innocence.
Transcription:
Fair Lady, if your Valentine
With more than usual Merit shine,
That like the Comets lengthen’d Blaze
Attracts the universal gaze,
Heed not when Rumours [Tole] Voice
Would cloud the Lustre of your Choice,
And find in Genius splendors bright
Some dire Portent, some lurid Light.
Be yours the Philosophic Eye
That loves the Wonders of the Sky,
Deems not each Path e[x]centric Error
Nor sullies Glory’s Train with Terror.
Transcription:
Fair Lady, if your Valentine
With more than usual Merit shine,
That like the Comets lengthen’d Blaze
Attracts the universal gaze,
Heed not when Rumours [Tole] Voice
Would cloud the Lustre of your Choice,
And find in Genius splendors bright
Some dire Portent, some lurid Light.
Be yours the Philosophic Eye
That loves the Wonders of the Sky,
Deems not each Path e[x]centric Error
Nor sullies Glory’s Train with Terror.
Transcription:
What curious [Visitor] is here
St Valentines mysterious boon
A being of another sphere
The man we picture in the moon
From that clear [orb] when Beauty deeps
He steals a glance demure + shy
And through the [bay] closed curtains peeps
[Her dreams her] midnight [thoughts] to [spy]
And often too, he can discover
Some secrets Ladies will not tell
For instance now your favorite Lover
The name he [] but guards i[t] well
And yet a little [p]int he gives
To put in in a [griefring spirit]
He who in your affection lives
Must be a man of sense + merit
Transcription:
In castled strength see Cupid rides,
And Asias sylvan Monarch guides,
Thence gaily deals unnerving Darts,
And bring to you whole strings of Hearts.
So Love, within your laughing Eyes
Secure as in a castle lies,
And draws from that unfailing sou[rce]
United Eloquence and Force.
Transcription:
Away to the Bow’r cries Robin Hood
To the festive board away
For the noblest Ha[r]t in merry Sherwood
Maid Marion has pierc[’d] today
[Ah] Robin these are idle sounds
Replies Saint Valentine
For the noblest Heart in England bounds
Is pierc’d by a [Vot’ry] of mine
And who is this [Vot’ry] Saint of thine
That can choose and shoot so true
For a better shot than Marion fine
Quoth Robin I never knew.
Said the Saint I may not tell her name
But I’ll venture a Hint at least
This Billet is sent to her and the same
Bids prepare for a wedding feast
Transcription:
Renown and Glory here bestow
A Laurel Wreath to bind your Brow
And laughing Love to crown their [C]are
Has twin’d the fragrant Myrtle there
To shew that Valours meed shall prove
Most lovely when combin’d with Love.
Transcription:
What Lot is for you in the Records of Fate
They tell of a rich and an elegant mate
Of Sylvan Retreats ever rural and pleasant
Of manors well stock’d with the Partridge and Pheasant
They point to this Emblem and bid you prepare
In duties and Pleasures Domestic to share
Transcription:
Richest [St]ore
From China’s Shores
Treasures of the East
Wait on thy Behest:
Gold and Gems before thee laid
Are but off’rings duly paid,
And all the Treasures faithful [L]ove
To thee can tender, here shall prove
No Idol Worship, but the Duty
Affection vows to Worth and Beauty.
Transcription:
The Heart Ruff beats his sounding Wing
And lifts his plumed [cun slate]
From Lakes [fringed] shore or distant spring
Or fore[st] deep to call his mate
-
This [lot] dear Lady mu[st] discover
While distant [times] a [hero own] him
That [f]ame’s loud voice applaud[s] your Lover
And victory [] in [Triumph crown him].
Transcription:
Tis not that we would here [ex]press
A coarse and vulgar Shepherdess
Of England or of [Scotia],
My Song is of the olden Time
And fam’d Arcadia’s pastoral Rhyme
Or [V]allies of Boatia
Kings Duaghters then with Flocks [w’]rove
And Gentlewomen spun and wove
Nor fail’d in Grace nor Beauty
[E]’en such your Shepherdess Appears
Who rur’al Life with Grace endears,
And each domestic Duty!__
Transcription:
In sending this Lot it was Fortunes Intent,
To indicate Blessings to you and your Lover.
But if either a Church of a Churchman be meant,
Is left for yourself to discover.
Transcription:
Prometheus caught a heav’nly ray
To animate his Man of Clay
The sacred light of [wis]dom stole
And [p]our’d it o’er [th’]awakning [Soul];
For this condemn’d by angry Jove,
Because he [misc’d] no [Fire] from Love.
But when the Monarch saw the Light
That sparkled in your [virtues bright]
To you in bounteous Dole he [granted].
The compound Flame Prometheus wanted,
And he who owns this Flame from you
Loves ardently and wisely too__
Transcription:
Though Vanity courts you with Hearts in Profusion,
Your Sense will avo[id] the fantastic Illusion,
And chusing one Heart with decisive Election,
Unite it to yours in the Bonds of Affection.
Transcription:
Your Valentine deserves no buffing
These Bellows are not made for puffing
But as the Fair [one] wills they move
To fan the [purest] flame of Love
They’ve [now unsigned] to your [popepin]
Then take [& use] them with [discression.]
Transcription:
Though Fate my Fair, [‘]to thee deliver
Love’s Bow, his Arrows and his Quiver,
No Mischeif shall with thee be found.
Thou shall so twine with Flowr’s the Dart,
String with such gentle shill the Heart
That all who feel shall bless the Wound.
Transcription:
How [prized] if rightly understood,
The chance [our] Lottery sends,
A Brace of Pointers Haunch [& joad],
It wisely [recommends].
No [roving Dogs Sir], here we bring
Of Ladies making Game;
But when the Birds are on the wing,
Tis time to take your [Aim].
And let that aim be just and true,
Your Choice [discreyt], though free
For ‘tis Affection points for you
Well back’d by Constancy __
Transcription:
Dis-dain dear Maid coquettish Art
Say yes nor let thine accents falter
Love offers thee a faithful Heart
And Hymen [m]oves thee to the Altar.
Transcription:
What though your wit’s electric blaze
With brilliant coruscation plays,
What though the lightning of your eyes
[A flash more] bright than [this] supplies
And all your [v]ario[us] graces prove
A perfect battery of Love
Ye[t] you [perhaps] fair Lady mark
May [chime] yourself to take a spark.
Transcription:
What tho’ no military Swain
Perchance your Inclination chose[!]
A Trophy can the Maid disdain
Whose Charms so many Conquests gains,
Whose virtues triumph oer her [gr]oes?
Transcription:
An a[r]sless Valentine you find
Free & [unfettered] as the wind
No fraud no artifice [has charmed her]
Or to a masters bidding [hained] her.
Wild oer’ her native plain she flies
Bright spirit sparkling in her eyes
O! rather gently [lure] than blame her
Tis yours to catch the romp and [tame] her.
Transcription:
Have not thy Cares and fostering Hand
Rear’d the first Visitants of Spring
And taught their Blossoms to expand
While Winter lagg’d on sullen Wing
And thus with thee, Affections Joy[s]
No angry Passions shall deform
Domestic Blessings round thee [r]ise
And laugh at each external Storm.
Transcription:
While the flowers of summer for you are display’d
Select of the sweetest a Nosegay fair Maid
[Be] winter or Tempests then Beauty can [blot],
To bind for your breast in a true Lover’s [knot].
Transcription:
Thy Valentine, on Pleasure’s Wing,
Has sported in the gales of Spring,
And play’d the gay the wandring Lover.
Resolving now no more to roam,
He makes thy peaceful Breast his Home,
‘Tis thine to Charm and Home, [fix] the Rover.
