The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
Though lavish nature sheds each various grace,
That forms the figure, or that decks the face—
Though health, with innocence, and glee the while,
Dance in their eye, and wanton in their smile—
Though mid the lily's white, unfolds the rose,
As on their cheek the bud of beauty blows,
Spontaneous blossom of the transient flush,
Which glows and reddens to a scarlet blush;
What time the maid, unread in flames and darts,
First feels of love the palpitating starts,
Feels from the heart life's quicken'd currents glide,
Her bosom heaving with the bounding tide—
Though sweet their lips, their features more than fair—
Though curls luxuriant of untortur'd hair
Grow long, and add unutterable charms,
While ev'ry look enraptures and alarms;
Yet something still, beyond th' exterior form,
With goodness fraught, with animation warm,
Inspires their actions, dignifies their mien,
Gilds ev'ry hour, and beautifies each scene.
'Tis those perfections of superior kind,
The moral beauties which adorn the mind;
'Tis those enchanting sounds mellifluous hung,
In words of truth and kindness, on their tongue,
'Tis delicacy gives their charms new worth,
And calls the loveliness of beauty forth:
'Tis the mild influence beaming from their eyes,
Like vernal sun-beams round cœrulian skies;
Bright emanations of the spotless soul,
Which warm, and cheer, and vivify the whole!
That forms the figure, or that decks the face—
Though health, with innocence, and glee the while,
Dance in their eye, and wanton in their smile—
Though mid the lily's white, unfolds the rose,
As on their cheek the bud of beauty blows,
Spontaneous blossom of the transient flush,
Which glows and reddens to a scarlet blush;
What time the maid, unread in flames and darts,
First feels of love the palpitating starts,
36
Her bosom heaving with the bounding tide—
Though sweet their lips, their features more than fair—
Though curls luxuriant of untortur'd hair
Grow long, and add unutterable charms,
While ev'ry look enraptures and alarms;
Yet something still, beyond th' exterior form,
With goodness fraught, with animation warm,
Inspires their actions, dignifies their mien,
Gilds ev'ry hour, and beautifies each scene.
'Tis those perfections of superior kind,
The moral beauties which adorn the mind;
'Tis those enchanting sounds mellifluous hung,
In words of truth and kindness, on their tongue,
'Tis delicacy gives their charms new worth,
And calls the loveliness of beauty forth:
'Tis the mild influence beaming from their eyes,
Like vernal sun-beams round cœrulian skies;
Bright emanations of the spotless soul,
Which warm, and cheer, and vivify the whole!
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |