The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
 | I. |
 | II. |
|
TO THE SAME,
|
|
 | The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop |  |
29
TO THE SAME,
ON ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAME DAY. WITH A PASTE BUCKLE FOR AN HANDKERCHIEF.
Gems, had I gems to send, would seem
Short of your worth, and my esteem.
Short of your worth, and my esteem.
But as no mortal wedded dame
Has more from grateful love to claim,
So ne'er did loving husband live,
Whose gratitude had less to give.
Has more from grateful love to claim,
So ne'er did loving husband live,
Whose gratitude had less to give.
And yet the trifle I enclose,
Where only mimic brilliance glows,
Poor Paste (and poor it is indeed!)
Has something, ev'n as Paste, to plead.
Where only mimic brilliance glows,
Poor Paste (and poor it is indeed!)
Has something, ev'n as Paste, to plead.
30
Th' effect of borrow'd bloom to raise,
A Diamond's supplemental blaze
To many a bosom draws our view,
Where nothing, but itself, is true:
—This Paste upon your bosom wear,
'Twill be as great a contrast there;
Of all within ye, and without ye,
The only thing untrue about ye.
A Diamond's supplemental blaze
To many a bosom draws our view,
Where nothing, but itself, is true:
—This Paste upon your bosom wear,
'Twill be as great a contrast there;
Of all within ye, and without ye,
The only thing untrue about ye.
On Merit's ground proud Diamonds go,
As who should say,—“Thus we bestow:”
Paste comes to you, on terms less vain,
Not to bring beauty, but to gain;
And therefore seeks, in suppliant tone,
To blend it's lustre with your own.
As who should say,—“Thus we bestow:”
Paste comes to you, on terms less vain,
Not to bring beauty, but to gain;
And therefore seeks, in suppliant tone,
To blend it's lustre with your own.
Whoe'er has seen you, must have seen,
How just to Nature's gifts you've been;
Secure th' applause of Sense to fix,
By Ease and Truth, not airs and tricks:
So rich, in talents so applied,
With nothing to affect or hide,
The Diamond's aid you well may spare;
Much less can Paste deserve your care:
And yet for once, dear girl, consent
T' adopt a needless ornament:—
Nor scorn to have it understood,
Art would improve you, if she could.
How just to Nature's gifts you've been;
Secure th' applause of Sense to fix,
By Ease and Truth, not airs and tricks:
31
With nothing to affect or hide,
The Diamond's aid you well may spare;
Much less can Paste deserve your care:
And yet for once, dear girl, consent
T' adopt a needless ornament:—
Nor scorn to have it understood,
Art would improve you, if she could.
When heralds Excellence describe,
They send us to the Jewel tribe;
By Sapphires constant Faith display;
Firm Valour by the Ruby's ray:
And Paste will stand in your behoof,
Humility's best type and proof;—
For while your equal head and heart,
(Supreme in each superior part,)
Show Virtues, more than Fancy's eye
Finds gems to blazon virtues by,
The simple Toy, you thus prefer,
(So mean, so honour'd,) will aver,
That ever, as Desert extends,
Ingenuous Spirit condescends.
They send us to the Jewel tribe;
By Sapphires constant Faith display;
Firm Valour by the Ruby's ray:
And Paste will stand in your behoof,
Humility's best type and proof;—
For while your equal head and heart,
(Supreme in each superior part,)
Show Virtues, more than Fancy's eye
Finds gems to blazon virtues by,
32
(So mean, so honour'd,) will aver,
That ever, as Desert extends,
Ingenuous Spirit condescends.
No teeth of Time the Diamond fears;
But lasts more ages, than Paste years:—
Yet Paste, by your acceptance crown'd,
For all the difference will compound:
To 've prompted, in what sort it may,
The verse, that hails this welcome day,
Then on your breast to meet it's fate,
Will counterpoise so short a date;
And leave one solid praise it's due,
—That while it shone, it shone for You!—
Praise, which myself, who most despair
To shine, would only shine, to share!
But lasts more ages, than Paste years:—
Yet Paste, by your acceptance crown'd,
For all the difference will compound:
To 've prompted, in what sort it may,
The verse, that hails this welcome day,
Then on your breast to meet it's fate,
Will counterpoise so short a date;
And leave one solid praise it's due,
—That while it shone, it shone for You!—
Praise, which myself, who most despair
To shine, would only shine, to share!
| The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | |