 | The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth |  |
ANSWER TO A LADY,
WHO SENT HER ALBUM TO THE AUTHOR FOR A CONTRIBUTION.
And dost thou then request a lay
From one to thee unknown,
One, who, without that kindling ray
Which bright inspiring eyes convey,
Could never wake a tone?
From one to thee unknown,
One, who, without that kindling ray
Which bright inspiring eyes convey,
Could never wake a tone?
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Alas! the heartless lines I trace
Will have no charm for thee;
For if Peru's untutored race,
Had never seen their god's bright face,
How cold their prayers would be!
Will have no charm for thee;
For if Peru's untutored race,
Had never seen their god's bright face,
How cold their prayers would be!
'T is true that Fame, in brightest dyes,
Her magic pencil dips,
To paint the mental charms I prize,
Reflected from thy sparkling eyes,
Or warbled from thy lips.
Her magic pencil dips,
To paint the mental charms I prize,
Reflected from thy sparkling eyes,
Or warbled from thy lips.
But ah! however bright we own
The portrait all admire,
The fair original alone
Could waken feeling's purest tone
From my neglected lyre.
The portrait all admire,
The fair original alone
Could waken feeling's purest tone
From my neglected lyre.
When thou wouldst catch the dewdrops, shook
From Fancy's glittering wing,
Let thy own hand present the book,
And with thy own bewitching look,
Inspire the bard to sing.
From Fancy's glittering wing,
Let thy own hand present the book,
And with thy own bewitching look,
Inspire the bard to sing.
| The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth | |