The Works of Soame Jenyns ... In Four Volumes. Including Several Pieces Never Before Published. To Which are Prefixed, Short Sketches of the History of the Author's Family, and also of his Life; By Charles Nalson Cole |
 | I. |
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THE CHOICE. |
| II. |
 | The Works of Soame Jenyns |  |
THE CHOICE.
Had I, Pygmalion like, the pow'r
To make the nymph I wou'd adore;
The model shou'd be thus design'd,
Like this her form, like this her mind.
To make the nymph I wou'd adore;
The model shou'd be thus design'd,
Like this her form, like this her mind.
Her skin shou'd be as lilies fair,
With rosy cheeks and jetty hair;
Her lips with pure vermilion spread,
And soft and moist, as well as red;
Her eyes shou'd shine with vivid light,
At once both languishing and bright;
Her shape shou'd be exact and small,
Her stature rather low than tall;
Her limbs well turn'd, her air and mien
At once both sprightly and serene;
Besides all this, a nameless grace
Shou'd be diffus'd all o'er her face;
To make the lovely piece complete,
Not only beautiful, but sweet.
With rosy cheeks and jetty hair;
Her lips with pure vermilion spread,
And soft and moist, as well as red;
Her eyes shou'd shine with vivid light,
At once both languishing and bright;
Her shape shou'd be exact and small,
Her stature rather low than tall;
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At once both sprightly and serene;
Besides all this, a nameless grace
Shou'd be diffus'd all o'er her face;
To make the lovely piece complete,
Not only beautiful, but sweet.
This for her form: now for her mind;
I'd have it open, gen'rous, kind,
Void of all coquettish arts,
And vain designs of conquering hearts,
Not sway'd by any views of gain,
Nor fond of giving others pain;
But soft, tho' bright, like her own eyes,
Discreetly witty, gayly wise.
I'd have it open, gen'rous, kind,
Void of all coquettish arts,
And vain designs of conquering hearts,
Not sway'd by any views of gain,
Nor fond of giving others pain;
But soft, tho' bright, like her own eyes,
Discreetly witty, gayly wise.
I'd have her skill'd in ev'ry art
That can engage a wand'ring heart;
Know all the sciences of love,
Yet ever willing to improve;
To press the hand, and roll the eye,
And drop sometimes an amorous sigh;
To lengthen out the balmy kiss,
And heighten ev'ry tender bliss;
And yet I'd have the charmer be
By nature only taught,—or me.
That can engage a wand'ring heart;
Know all the sciences of love,
Yet ever willing to improve;
To press the hand, and roll the eye,
And drop sometimes an amorous sigh;
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And heighten ev'ry tender bliss;
And yet I'd have the charmer be
By nature only taught,—or me.
I'd have her to strict honour ty'd,
And yet without one spark of pride;
In company well drest and fine,
Yet not ambitious to outshine;
In private always neat and clean,
And quite a stranger to the spleen;
Well-pleas'd to grace the park, and play,
And dance sometimes the night away,
But oft'ner fond to spend her hours
In solitude, and shady bow'rs,
And there, beneath some silent grove,
Delight in poetry, and love.
And yet without one spark of pride;
In company well drest and fine,
Yet not ambitious to outshine;
In private always neat and clean,
And quite a stranger to the spleen;
Well-pleas'd to grace the park, and play,
And dance sometimes the night away,
But oft'ner fond to spend her hours
In solitude, and shady bow'rs,
And there, beneath some silent grove,
Delight in poetry, and love.
Some sparks of the poetic fire
I fain would have her soul inspire,
Enough, at least, to let her know
What joys from love and virtue flow;
Enough, at least, to make her wise,
And fops and fopperies despise;
Prefer her books, and her own muse,
To visits, scandal, chat, and news;
Above her sex exalt her mind,
And make her more than woman-kind.
I fain would have her soul inspire,
Enough, at least, to let her know
What joys from love and virtue flow;
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And fops and fopperies despise;
Prefer her books, and her own muse,
To visits, scandal, chat, and news;
Above her sex exalt her mind,
And make her more than woman-kind.
| The Works of Soame Jenyns | |