The Shamrock or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte] |
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THE FOURTEENTH OF FEBRUARY. |
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 | The Shamrock |  |
367
THE FOURTEENTH OF FEBRUARY.
TO THERANIA.
On Paper, strangely and uncouthly shap'd,
For Reasons stranger, Valentines y-clep'd,
Scriblers, To-day, of every Size, and Sort,
In annual Chime to Venus pay their Court;
Teeth, Lips, Cheeks, Eyes, Hair, Forehead, all made out,
Ruby, Rose, Lilly, wonderous like, no Doubt:
Thus, piecemeal they the Goddess-Nymph compare;
And, by commending, satyrize the Fair.—
Avaunt, ye Elves, who thus, in Spite of Sense,
Blaspheme Apollo, and would Wits commence;
The Fair, whom Honour, Truth, and Candour guide,
Attach'd by Worth alone, your Arts deride.
Nor think, sweet Maid, as you peruse my Song,
I swell the Chorus of the motley Throng.
For Reasons stranger, Valentines y-clep'd,
Scriblers, To-day, of every Size, and Sort,
In annual Chime to Venus pay their Court;
Teeth, Lips, Cheeks, Eyes, Hair, Forehead, all made out,
Ruby, Rose, Lilly, wonderous like, no Doubt:
Thus, piecemeal they the Goddess-Nymph compare;
And, by commending, satyrize the Fair.—
Avaunt, ye Elves, who thus, in Spite of Sense,
Blaspheme Apollo, and would Wits commence;
The Fair, whom Honour, Truth, and Candour guide,
Attach'd by Worth alone, your Arts deride.
Nor think, sweet Maid, as you peruse my Song,
I swell the Chorus of the motley Throng.
Let lying Bards ideal Forms create,
And vainly of aerial Beauty prate;
Juno, Minerva, Venus, and so forth,
Are beaten Topics, and but little Worth;
I leave the Pearl too, and the Stars at Rest;
Nor shall the Snow vie with Therania's Breast:
In that dear Mansion we, more valu'd, find
The matchless Beauties of an Angel's Mind:
External Charms, frail Blessings! fade away;
Those grow with Years, not subject to decay.
And vainly of aerial Beauty prate;
Juno, Minerva, Venus, and so forth,
Are beaten Topics, and but little Worth;
I leave the Pearl too, and the Stars at Rest;
Nor shall the Snow vie with Therania's Breast:
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The matchless Beauties of an Angel's Mind:
External Charms, frail Blessings! fade away;
Those grow with Years, not subject to decay.
Sitting by thee, no Frowns of Fate I fear;
Thy gentle Smiles can dissipate all Care,
The Sting of Sorrow from my Breast remove,
And tune my Soul to Extacy and Love:
The generous Sentiments, thy Words impart,
Thrill through my Veins, and play around my Heart;
No Part is from the powerful Influence free;
But every Sense, enraptur'd, sighs for thee.
Thus, while I, gazing, feast my eager Sight,
Lost in a Trance of exquisite Delight,
Sees not my Love, when her bright Eyes meet mine,
She, only she can be my Valentine.
Thy gentle Smiles can dissipate all Care,
The Sting of Sorrow from my Breast remove,
And tune my Soul to Extacy and Love:
The generous Sentiments, thy Words impart,
Thrill through my Veins, and play around my Heart;
No Part is from the powerful Influence free;
But every Sense, enraptur'd, sighs for thee.
Thus, while I, gazing, feast my eager Sight,
Lost in a Trance of exquisite Delight,
Sees not my Love, when her bright Eyes meet mine,
She, only she can be my Valentine.
| The Shamrock | |