Poems, moral and descriptive By the late Richard Jago ... (Prepared for the press, and improved by the author, before his death.) To which is added, some account of the life and writings of Mr. Jago |
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To a LADY working a Pair of RUFFLES.
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 | Poems, moral and descriptive |  |
173
To a LADY working a Pair of RUFFLES.
What means this useless cost, this wanton pride?
To purchase fopp'ry from yon' foreign strand!
To spurn our native stores, and arts aside,
And drain the riches of a needy land!
To purchase fopp'ry from yon' foreign strand!
To spurn our native stores, and arts aside,
And drain the riches of a needy land!
Pleas'd I survey, fair nymph, your happy skill,
Yet view it by no vulgar critic's laws:
With nobler aim I draw my sober quill,
Anxious to list each art in Virtue's cause.
Yet view it by no vulgar critic's laws:
With nobler aim I draw my sober quill,
Anxious to list each art in Virtue's cause.
Go on, dear maid, your utmost pow'r essay,
And if for fame your little bosom heave,
Know patriot-hands your merit shall display,
And amply pay the graces they receive.
And if for fame your little bosom heave,
Know patriot-hands your merit shall display,
And amply pay the graces they receive.
Let ev'ry nymph like you the gift prepare,
And banish foreign pomp, and costly show;
What lover but wou'd burn the prize to wear,
Or blush by you pronounc'd his country's foe?
And banish foreign pomp, and costly show;
What lover but wou'd burn the prize to wear,
Or blush by you pronounc'd his country's foe?
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Your smiles can win when patriot-speeches fail,
Your frowns controul when justice threats in vain,
O'er stubborn minds your softness can prevail,
And placemen drop the bribe if you complain.
Your frowns controul when justice threats in vain,
O'er stubborn minds your softness can prevail,
And placemen drop the bribe if you complain.
Then rise the guardians of your country's fame,
Or wherefore were ye form'd like angels fair?
By beauty's force our venal hearts reclaim,
And save the drooping Virtues from despair.
Or wherefore were ye form'd like angels fair?
By beauty's force our venal hearts reclaim,
And save the drooping Virtues from despair.
| Poems, moral and descriptive | |