Spare, generous victor, spare the slave, br Who did unequal war pursue; br That more than triumph he might have, br In being overcome by you. br br In the dispute, whate'er I said, br My heart was by my tongue belied; br And in my looks you might have read br How much I argued on your side. br br You, far from danger as from fear, br Might have sustain'd an open fight; br For seldom your opinions err, br Your eyes are always in the right. br br Why, fair one, would you not rely br On reason's force with beauty's join'd? br Could I their prevalence deny, br I must at once be deaf and blind. br br Alas! not hoping to subdue, br I only to the fight aspired: br To keep the beauteous foe in view br Was all the glory I desired. br br But she, howe'er of victory sure, br Contemns the wreath too long delay'd: br And arm'd with more immediate power, br Calls cruel silence to her aid. br br Deeper to wound she shuns the fight; br She drops her arms, to gain the field; br Secures her conquest by her flight; br And triumphs, when she seems to yield. br br So when the Parthian turn'd his steed, br And from the hostile camp withdrew, br With cruel skill the backward reed br He sent; and, as he fled, he slew.