Poems on Several Occasions With Anne Boleyn to King Henry VIII. An Epistle. By Mrs. Elizabeth Tollet. The Second Edition |
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On a Death's Head.
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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On a Death's Head.
Est illic Lethæus Amor, qui pectora sanat,
Inque suas gelidam lampædas addit aquam.
Ovid.
Inque suas gelidam lampædas addit aquam.
Ovid.
On this Resemblance, where we find
A Portrait drawn for all Mankind,
Fond Lover! gaze a while, to see
What Beauty's Idol Charms shall be.
Where are the Balls that once cou'd dart
Quick Lightning thro' the wounded Heart?
The Skin, whose Teint cou'd once unite
The glowing Red and polish'd White?
The Lip in brighter Ruby drest?
The Cheek with dimpled Smiles imprest?
The rising Front, where Beauty sate
Thron'd in her Residence of State;
Which, half-disclos'd and half-conceal'd,
The Hair in flowing Ringlets veil'd;
'Tis vanish'd all! remains alone
This eyeless Scalp of naked Bone:
The vacant Orbits sunk within:
The Jaw that offers at a Grin.
Is this the Object then that claims
The Tribute of our youthful Flames?
Must am'rous Hopes and fancy'd Bliss,
Too dear Delusions! end in this?
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Which Sighs can more than Language tell:
Till Love can only grieve or fear;
Reflect a while, then drop a Tear
For all that's beautiful or dear.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |