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80

X. FEMALE BEAUTY.

Virgins! mild as vernal showers,
Sweeter far than opening flowers,
Fond seducers! would ye know
Whence your soft allurements flow?
Elves alone by nature led,
Elves your morn of beauty spread!
We your tender cheeks to flush,
Thrice refine the rose's blush;
For your veins' delicious blue,
Steep a violet leaf in dew;
For your skins' resplendent white,
Steal a ray of lunar light;
For the glances of your eyes,
Snatch a sunbeam from the skies!
Thus in life's enchanting bloom
Fairies every grace illume:

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Fairies hail your morn of youth,
Tranquil hour of artless truth—
Pleased when mortal charms dispense
Lovely looks of innocence!
But when passion's eager rage
Sheds th' untimely blight of age;
When delusive art appears,
Faithless accents, feigning tears—
All your blest protectors fly!
All your beauties fade and die!