Butas to you:—­decline Love’s choice pursuit! 
          No anxious wish to taste forbidden fruit? 
          Though such you banish from your thoughts I see,
          A friend thereto I fain would have you be. 
          Come make the trial:  you’ll Calista find,
          Quite new again when to her arms resigned. 
          But let me tell you, though your wife be chaste,
          Erastus to your mansion oft is traced.

          Anddo you think, cried Damon with an air,
          Erastus visits as a lover there? 
          Too much he seems, my friend, to act a part,
          That proves the villain both in head and heart.

          SaidNeria, mortified at this reply,
          Though he’s a friend on whom you may rely,
          Calista beauty has; much worth the man,
          With smart address to execute his plan;
          And when we meet accomplishments so rare;
          Few women but will tumble in the snare.

          Thisconversation was by Damon felt,
          A wife, brisk, young, and formed ’mid joys to melt;
          A man well versed in Cupid’s wily way;
          No courtier bolder of the present day;
          Well made and handsome, with attractive mind;
          Wo what might happen was the husband blind? 
          Whoever trusts implicitly to friends,
          Too oft will find, on shadows he depends. 
          Pray where’s the devotee, who could withstand,
          The tempting glimpse of charms that all command;
          Which first invite by halves:  then bolder grow,
          Till fascination spreads, and bosoms glow? 
          Our Damon fancied this already done,
          Or, at the best, might be too soon begun: 
          On these foundations gloomy views arose,
          Chimeras dire, destructive of repose.

          Th’enchantress presently a hint received,
          That those suspicions much the husband grieved;
          And better to succeed and make him fret,
          She told him of a thing, ’mong witches met,
          ’Twas metamorphose-water (such the name)
          With this could Damon take Erastus’ frame;
          His gait, his look, his carriage, air and voice
          Thus changed, he easily could mark her choice,
          Each step observe:—­enough, he asked no more,
          Erastus’ shape the husband quickly bore;
          His easy manner, and appearance caught: 
          With captivating smiles his wife he sought. 
          And thus addressed the fair with ev’ry grace:—­
          How blithe that look! enchanting is your face;
          Your beauty’s always great, I needs must say,
          But never more delightful than to-day.