Matthew Prior

Upon Playing at Ombre With Two Ladies

I know that Fortune long has wanted sight,
And therefore pardon’d when she did not right;
But yet till then it never did appear
That, as she wanted eyes, she could not hear.
I begg’d that she would give me leave to lose,
A thing she does not commonly refuse.
Two matadores are out against my game,
Yet still I play, and still my luck’s the same:
Unconquer’d in three suits it does remain,
Whereas I only ask in one to gain;
Yet she still contradicting gifts imparts,
And gives success in every suit - but Hearts.
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