Nugae Modernae Morning thoughts, and midnight musings: consisting of casual reflections, egotisms, &c. In prose and verse. By Thomas Park |
TO MRS. W.
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Nugae Modernae | ||
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TO MRS. W.
ON HER WEDDING-ANNIVERSARY.
“Full fair and white she is, and White by name,Whose white doth strive the lily's white to shame:”
So sang a nameless bard of elder time,
When gay conceits first stray'd from Latian clime.
His antique song let me this day repeat,
And, free from flattery, thy nuptials greet:
Since I but praise the tincture of a skin
For its clear reflex of the mind within.
I do but call the cheek of matron fair,
Because a maiden-blush still lingers there,
And through the lily's fairness can disclose
The soften'd radiance of the vermeil rose.
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Thou surest charm that still the husband binds
To live the lover,—may thy power impart
Life-long affection to each wedded heart,
Even to mine—though widowed now it be—
For still it loves, dear Wife! still loves thy purity.
Nugae Modernae | ||