Part 94 (2/2)

But then, as myriads confuse, And each the other's sweets annoy, Wilt thou condemn the friendly muse Who aids thee in the great employ?

Who bids thee now neglect the rose, Which long has claim'd the moral lay, For the bright amaranth, that glows In regal purple ever gay--

Bright boasted flow'r, of boasted plains!

Whilst myriads around thee fade, Thy living l.u.s.tre still remains Untainted by, or sun, or shade!

The dappled pink, and lily pale, With ev'ry gaudy-tinted flow'r That decks the hill, or scents the dale, If gather'd, fade to bloom no more.

But thou, Elysian flow'r divine!

If sprinkled o'er with balmy dew, Again thy wonted colours s.h.i.+ne, Again thy purple beams anew!

--Let this instructive flow'r, my fair, A grateful secret thus impart, How you may beauty's charms repair, Unaided by cosmetic art.

When time (that worst of female foes) Has torn, with ruthless hand, away From beauty's cheek the blus.h.i.+ng rose, Which far outvies the blooms of May,

For orient, renovating dew, Which purples o'er this regal flow'r; Let mild good humour beam in you, Aided by virtues magic pow'r.

These, lasting beauties will create, These, give new l.u.s.tre to the eye; The cheeks bright bloom reanimate, And plant the rose that ne'er will die.

Thus, lovely maid, where'er you rove, 'Cross verdant hill, or fragrant dale, Make the gay flowrets of the grove, More useful than to scent the gale.

[* ”A flower of purple velvet colour, which, though gathered, keeps its beauty; and when all other flowers fade, recovers its l.u.s.tre by being sprinkled with a little water.”

NOTES ON MILTON.]

VIRTUE AND ORNAMENT; AN ODE.

TO THE LADIES.

The diamond's and the ruby's rays s.h.i.+ne with a milder, finer flame, And more attract our love and praise Than Beauty's self, if lost to fame.

But the sweet tear in Pity's eye, Transcends the diamond's brightest beams; And the soft blush of modesty More precious than the ruby seems.

The glowing gem, the sparkling stone, May strike the sight with quick surprise, But Truth and Innocence alone Can still engage the good and wise.

No glitt'ring ornament or show Will aught avail in grief or pain: Only from inward worth can flow Delight that ever shall remain.

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