Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

292 The Earls of Middleton.
Translation.
"B Gifford and Mademoiselle
Ploydon ....
And thou with budding gifts of Laura,
Fresh and brilliant Middleton,
Whom Love mistaketh for Aurora."
" Each lady merits," he says, " to be sung in verse
worthy of Parnassus ; " but this he cannot attempt
— they must be satisfied with seeing their portraits in
the Mercury of the month following.
In another song he describes a ball at St. Ger-
mains. The Goddess Venus, descending in the midst
of so much beauty, is troubled because all around
she sees so many bright eyes which eclipse her own.
Momus laughingly tells her she must carry elsewhere
her art of seducing hearts, for here she can do nothing.
When the nymphs begin to dance, their graceful
figures and conquering glances make them seem like
disguised angels. England, so fertile in attractions,
could surely never have seen as many beauties in her
isle as were to-day assembled around the young prince.
He then describes several of the dancers in sepa-
rate songs. Amongst others —
POUR MADEMOISELLE MIDDLETON.
Sur I'Air du Branle de Metz.
" Les Graces et la Jeunesse
Dansaient avec Middleton,
Et dans son cceur Cupidon