University of Virginia Library

To a Smile.

Hail rosy joy's ecstatic treasure,
Delightful harbinger of pleasure,
The being who still thee possesses,
Enjoys contentment's fond caresses!
Sweet herald of an heart at ease,
By bliss engender'd—form'd to please,
Bright emanation of a mind
That's sportive, happy, tender, kind!
I love to see thee oft dispense,
On coral lips thy influence,
Or stealing into down-cast eye,
Of brilliant black, with meaning sly;
Exciting dimples in the cheek
Of beauties who now conquest seek!
For who resists thy magic wile
When 'midst thy train, delicious smile
Of little loves, and frolic fancies,
Dimpled graces, beamy glances;
When in thy panoply of charms,
And all thy irresistless arms,
Thou shed'st thy mighty spells around,
(Who in such spells would not be bound?)
Before thee flies the murky train
Of timid fears, and fancied pain;
Regards severe, down-cast, and sour,
Scowling looks, and frowning lour,
Resentment with dark brow close knit,
Pale langour—flush'd hysteric fit,
And frantic anger's fiery glance,
And envy's “look malign, askance”;
And melancholy's sad expression,
Imperious looks of high oppression,
All fly before thy cheering beam,
Like vapours from meridian gleam!
Yet say, thou soft seductive smile,
Why aidest thou deceptive guile,
Why quit thine own ecstatic duty,
To grace the lips of scornful beauty?
Or change thy gay simplicity,
For supercilious levity;
Or why (delightful smile) attempt
To lend thy charm to cold contempt;
Unite with hypocritic phrases,
Mingle with parasitic praises;
Or why, veil'st thou with sweet deception,
The frauds of villainy's conception,
Or thy seducing power employ
For him who smiles but to destroy?
On vice thy magic why bestow,
Or hide the pangs of gilded woe;
Oh why, thine own gay empire leave,
(Thou sweet apostate) to deceive?
Thou like to youth and beauty art,
Which simplest, surest touch the heart.
Come then, thy power alone employ,
For frolic mirth, or sportive joy,
Or from the lips of innocence,
Thy fascinations still dispense;
Dimpling cheeks of rosy hue,
Enlivening eyes of pensive blue;
Combining beauty, mirth, and joy,
Still please,—but please not to destroy!