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Poems on Several Occasions

In Two Volumes. By Mr. Joseph Mitchell

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TO OPHELIA,
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


270

TO OPHELIA,

In Tears for the Decay of her Beauties.

Life of Loveliness! forbear;
Sighs and Plaints I cannot hear.
Tell me not thou'rt past thy Prime—
Tax not Nature, Fate, and Time—
Beauties, that did first subdue,
Hold my Heart for ever true.
In Thee, still I find the Charms
That allur'd me to thy Arms.

271

Raptur'd still I view thy Face,
Stock'd with ev'ry Virgin Grace.
Lively Sweetness! temper'd Fire!
Lasting Spring of chaste Desire!
In thine Eyes the very Flame!
Roses on thy Cheek the same?
On thy Chin th' unsullied Snow!
Gentle Majesty thy Brow!
Fresh the Teeth! and fine the Hair!
Lips, the lovely Twins they were!
Voice with heav'nly Musick fraught!
Shape and Air without a Fault!
Every Limb and every Feature
Perfect, as thy Sense and Nature!
Sprightly, generous, and free,
Just to All, and True to Me!

272

Modest, innocent, and kind!
Charming Person! noble Mind!
All my Wealth, and Paradise!
Cheer thy Heart, and dry thy Eyes.