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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| VIII. | VIII. The CHARM.
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 | The Shamrock |  |
VIII. The CHARM.
To Mrs. ******
Dear Object of my tenderest Care,
Where all my Hopes and Wishes meet,
For whom my Heart shall burn sincere,
'Till its true Pulse forget to beat;
Where all my Hopes and Wishes meet,
For whom my Heart shall burn sincere,
'Till its true Pulse forget to beat;
By Nature bless'd with every Grace
Of Power, the enamour'd Soul to chain;
You task your Servant's Skill to trace
The Means your Empire to retain:
Of Power, the enamour'd Soul to chain;
You task your Servant's Skill to trace
The Means your Empire to retain:
O'er all Reserve your Wish prevails—
Then, what Truth speaks, attentive hear,
Tho' far unlike the soothing Tales,
Which Flattery pours in Beauty's Ear.
Then, what Truth speaks, attentive hear,
Tho' far unlike the soothing Tales,
Which Flattery pours in Beauty's Ear.
It is not Beauty's brightest Blaze
Can long support the tender Flame;
Too soon the meteor Fire decays,
And Folly mourns her vanish'd Dream.
Can long support the tender Flame;
Too soon the meteor Fire decays,
And Folly mourns her vanish'd Dream.
432
Nor lively Satire's pointed Dart,
Can e'er attain the wish'd-for End;
Too deep her Poison wounds the Heart,
To hold the Lover, or the Friend.
Can e'er attain the wish'd-for End;
Too deep her Poison wounds the Heart,
To hold the Lover, or the Friend.
Nor light Coquetry's practis'd Airs,
That, flying, seeks to be pursued;
Nor starch Reserve's affected Fears,
That mask the Wishes of the Prude,
That, flying, seeks to be pursued;
Nor starch Reserve's affected Fears,
That mask the Wishes of the Prude,
Nor Learning's ostentatious Pride;
Nor solemn Wisdom's clouded Brow;
Nor Birth, nor Wealth's unfailing Tide,
Can bind secure the Lover's Vow.
Nor solemn Wisdom's clouded Brow;
Nor Birth, nor Wealth's unfailing Tide,
Can bind secure the Lover's Vow.
“Where lies the Magic, then, (you cry)
“Dear Celadon, instruct me where?”
Your own unconscious Bosom try—
The secret Charm is written there.
“Dear Celadon, instruct me where?”
Your own unconscious Bosom try—
The secret Charm is written there.
The Chearfulness, whose steady Ray
On every Object throws a Grace;
The Temper like a Summer Sea,
When not a Zephyr curls its Face;
On every Object throws a Grace;
The Temper like a Summer Sea,
When not a Zephyr curls its Face;
The modest, unassuming Sense;
The gentle Manners; native Ease;
The Wit, that never gives Offence;
The unaffected Wish to please.
The gentle Manners; native Ease;
The Wit, that never gives Offence;
The unaffected Wish to please.
These, these shall keep alive Desire,
Even in the Winter of Fourscore,
When Grady's Eyes shall lose their Fire,
And Tuthill's Beauty charm no more.
Even in the Winter of Fourscore,
When Grady's Eyes shall lose their Fire,
And Tuthill's Beauty charm no more.
433
Hence learn the Charm, ye Fair and Gay,
That most imports or Maid or Wife:—
The rest may triumph for a Day,
The Wish to please, will please for Life.
That most imports or Maid or Wife:—
The rest may triumph for a Day,
The Wish to please, will please for Life.
| The Shamrock | |