"A Salamander"
(included in Cliff Valentines)
Impute not Sir, to Fate the Blame
That you have ever lived in flame:
No, rather kindly bless Dame Nature,
Who fram’d you such a wond’rous creature,
That like that Fabl’d Salamander,
Unhurt this fiercest Fires could wander!
Yet, Oh! beware Victry’s hour
So granted to a kindred Powr!
Mistrust a pair of brilliant Eyes,
Which more than Basilisks surprise;
For when their radient Beam’s you feel,
Farewell you Bosom’s wanted weal;
Your heart, which scorn’d the flames, in turn
With [fiercer] purer Flames shall burn.
Captain [Bunbury]