Poems and Plays :: :: University of Virginia Library

THE ANSWER.

“Say not, her blushing smile to raise,
“She's Wisdom's child—'Tis vulgar praise:
“Nor say, that various talents spread
“A triple wreath around her head.

“Call Fancy to pourtray the fair,
“And Truth, to check her hand, be there:
“Now bid the limner Fancy trace,
“With pencil light, each mental grace:
“Behold! she decks the task enjoin'd,
“And paints the features of the mind!
“Delighted on the cheek to throw
“Unalter'd friendship's warmest glow;
“To form acute the list'ning ear,
“Affliction's distant sigh to hear.

“Now, as destroying half she plann'd,
“See! Fancy, with obscuring hand,
“Flings (as of too much praise afraid)
“O'er many a moral charm a shade:
“The limner, now more bold and free,
“Displays an emblematic key,
“Whose whisp'ring mysteries reveal,
“The pow'r thro' every heart to steal.”