University of Virginia Library

AN ANSWER TO THE ENCOMIUM ON THE BLUE EYE.

Faint are your eyes of heavenly blue,
While Delia's eyes of jet I view;

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To those, the colour only given,
To these, the fire, and force of heaven:
With rapid stroke they reach the heart;
They, from their liquid circles dart
(More magical their circles prove!)
The flame of Cupid, and of Jove.
Her cheeks no blushes need betray,
That man approving owns her sway;
With rose as lenient as benign,
Need not regret that lovers pine;
To them denied, the leisure hour,
To them denied the frigid power,
With lightning, and in rapture slain,
Or to approve, or to complain,
The dread decree they do not wait:
Her look is instantaneous fate;
They heave not the repeated sigh;
Of electricity they die!
Windsor Great Park, Nov. 26th, 1793.