The Virginia Gazette

Mr. Parks,

Since the Death and Burial of the Monitor and Zoilus, your Mathematical Correspondents shew'd away, to the Astonishment of all Men of Figures; as to us poor Women, we are out of the Question; nor do I think it fair to mention the Word Longitude by those who seem to be out of their Latitude: Riddles have been much in Vogue for some Time past, and the more obscure perhaps the better; but at present your learned Correspondents seem inclin'd to take a Breathing; therefore I embrace the Opportunity to fulfil my Promise, and have sent you the following Piece: And, as I wou'd not be thought to differ from the Sage, it has a Meaning, and no Meaning.

Yours, c.
HELENALITTEWIT.
Hor. Ode IX. Carmin. l. 3.
Dial. Hor. & Lydia.

Hor.
Whilst I lov'd thee, and thou wer't kind,
Nor any Youth thy Neck entwin'd,
With Arms more welcome, I protest,
Cyrus the Great was ne'er so blest.

Lyd.
Whilst I was Mistress of thy Flame,
Nor Chloe laid a better Claim
To thy false Heart, thy Lydia
Outshines the Roman Ilia.

Hor.
Me Chloe wholly does possess,
Her Voice, and Lute, command no less
For whom to die I would not grieve,
Might but the pretty Rogue survive.

Lyd.
And now young Calais does fire
With miraculous Desire,
To die, I'd not grieve,
Might the pretty Villain live.

But if old Love returns again,
Say you'd embrace Love's broken Chain,
Still you'd Chloe's Image raze,
And we, poor Lydia, in its Place.
Though he be fairer than a Star,
Though lighter than a Cork, and far
More peevish than the Adrian Sea,
Yet would I live, and die with thee.