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ANONYMOUS.
BEAUTY'S fort.
[MS.in possession of J. P. COLLIER, Esq., F.S.A.]
When raging Love, with fierce assault,
Strikes at fair Beauty's gate;
What army hath she to resist
And keep her court and state?
She calleth first on Chastity
To lend her help in time;
And Prudence no less summons she,
To meet her foe so brim.
And female Courage she alway
Doth bring unto the wall;
To blow the trump in her dismay,
Fearing her fort may fall.
On force of words she much relies,
Her foe without to keep;
And parleyeth with her two bright eyes,
When they her dyke would leap.
Yet natheless the more she strives,
The less she keeps him out;
For she hath traitors in her camp,
That keep her still in doubt.
