Phryne
IMMITATION OF ENGLISH POETS. EARL OF DORSET
Phryne had talents for mankind,Open she was, and unconfined,Like some free port of trade:Merchants unloaded here their freight,And agents from each foreign stateHere first their entry made.
Her learning and good breeding such,Whether the Italian or the Dutch,Spaniards or French came to her:To all obliging she'd appear,'Twas 'Si, Signor,' 'twas 'Yaw, Mynheer,''Twas 'S' il vous plaît, Monsieur.'
Obscure by birth, renown'd by crimes,Still changing names, religions, climes,At length she turns a bride:In diamonds, pearls, and rich brocades,She shines the first of batter'd jades,And flutters in her pride.
So have I known those insects fair,(Which curious Germans hold so rare)Still vary shapes and dyes;Still gain new titles with new forms;First grubs obscene, then wriggling worms,Then painted butterflies.
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