Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects Occasionally Composed By An Eminent Author. Collected and Published by Sergeant-Major P. F. [i.e. James Howell] |
Upon a Cupboard of Venice-Glasses, sent for a
New-years-gift to a choice Lady.
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Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | ||
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Upon a Cupboard of Venice-Glasses, sent for a New-years-gift to a choice Lady.
Madame,
If on this New-years-gift you cast an eye,
You plainly may therein at once descry
A twofold quality; for there will appear
A brittle substance, but the Object clear.
You plainly may therein at once descry
A twofold quality; for there will appear
A brittle substance, but the Object clear.
So in the Donor, Madame, you may see
These Qualities inherent for to be:
His Pow'r which brittle little is, Helas,
His Mind sincere, and pure as any Glass.
These Qualities inherent for to be:
His Pow'r which brittle little is, Helas,
His Mind sincere, and pure as any Glass.
The old Philospher did wish there were
A window in his Heart of Chrystal clear,
Through which his friends might the more clearly see
His inward Passions, and Integrity.
A window in his Heart of Chrystal clear,
Through which his friends might the more clearly see
His inward Passions, and Integrity.
I wish the like, for then you sure wold rest
Of my clear Mind, and motions of my Brest.
Of my clear Mind, and motions of my Brest.
But if it question'd be to what intent
With Venice-Glasses I do you present,
I answer, That I could no Gift perceive
So fit for me to give, you to receive:
For those rare Graces that in you excel,
And you that hold them, one may parallel
Unto a Venice-Glass, which as 'tis clear,
And can admit no poyson to come near,
So Vertu dwells in you, nor can endure
That Vice shold harbour in a Brest so pure.
With Venice-Glasses I do you present,
I answer, That I could no Gift perceive
So fit for me to give, you to receive:
For those rare Graces that in you excel,
And you that hold them, one may parallel
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And can admit no poyson to come near,
So Vertu dwells in you, nor can endure
That Vice shold harbour in a Brest so pure.
Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | ||