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Poems

by Mary Russell Mitford. Second edition, with considerable additions

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105

IMITATED FROM THE ITALIAN.

Thy youth and beauty all admire,
And yet, fair Caroline, I'm free;
Thine eyes the coldest heart might fire,
Yet harmless dart their rays on me.
While gentle Julia's artless grace
My soul with love's soft transport warms,
Unmov'd I view thy matchless face,
Yet yield to Julia's simple charms.

106

'Tis that her smile its dimple owes
To gaiety devoid of art;
'Tis that her eyes' mild lustre flows
From her own pure and spotless heart.
Thy beauty, fair and haughty maid!
Is transient as a summer's day;
But Julia's charms can never fade,
Her soul will bloom amid decay.