A paraphrase upon the canticles and some select hymns of the New and Old Testament, with other occasional compositions in English verse. By Samuel Woodford |
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To Belisa.
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 | A paraphrase upon the canticles |  |
To Belisa.
The Excellent Mrs. Mary Beal, upon her own Picture, done by her Self, like Pallas, but without any Arms, except Head-piece and Corselet.
Such would the Learned Pallas chuse to be,With all the Charms of Nature and of Art,
Tho she had neither Shield nor Dart:
For if the mighty Pallas were like Thee,
Without those, she to Conquer, need but come, and see.
But here (alas!) the Goddess nothing can espy,
Except the Garb to own her Figure by;
The Warlike Dress, and that 's so Gay,
Such Terror, and such Softness does display,
That that as little as the Face she seems to know;
Wishing that her own Greece had drawn her so:
Says Fabulous Antiquity;
Ne're gave her half that Grace or Majesty:
That she was never half so Fair,
In her own Beauties, or what'ere they feign'd,
163
As in your Draught, Belisa, she's design'd:
And were she to be Born again,
Would from your Hand desire it rather than Joves Brain.
1664.
| A paraphrase upon the canticles | |