University of Virginia Library

On a Lady who always carried a Looking-Glass with her.

What Incantations, and what want on Spels
About my conquering Gloriana dwells!
So beauteous, so kind, so wond'rous fair,
She with the Queen of Heav'n may compare,
And this she knows so well, herself's dismay'd
To see the God-like Part so well display'd.
With every Feature so much pleas'd and charm'd
And with her own inflaming Beauty warm'd,
She falls in Love with her own taking Frame,
And doats and feeds upon her amorous Flame.
Had she an Emblem of Narcissus Fate
Before her Eyes, her Pride would soon abate;
He to the crystal Fountain often went,
At last himself down to the bottom sent.
No more about thee that false Mimick bear,
Lest it reduce thy Beauty to despair;
For should the Glass's Pow'r once fade, and shew
A Form less wounding than we thine do know,
The Traytor then against the Ground you'd sling,
Who from your Face no truer News could bring:
Then only in my Eyes your Beauty view,
For there yourself you'd find, and please me too.