University of Virginia Library

Seducing Wit, thou soul-enlivening ray,
Deceptive fire, that shines but to betray;
Meteor, whose blaze infatuates the sight
With brilliant but unprofitable light.
Thou rare, but fatal Gift! invidious art,
The subtle poison that corrupts the heart;
Perfidious inmate even to the breast,
Where thou'rt most fondly cherish'd and caress'd:
In thee what various qualities combine,
And who thy Proteus nature can define?
Condemn'd tho' courted—hated tho' admir'd;
Dreaded in others, by ourselves desir'd;
Shunn'd by the dull, by wisdom disapprov'd,
By most applauded, but by few belov'd.
'Tis thine to aim the sharp envenom'd dart,
With skill unerring, at a kindred heart,
To raise, unmindful of discretion's laws,
An host of foes to gain—one fool's applause.
Thine the keen sarcasm and the quick retort,
The playful malice—that can wound in sport.
Aw'd by the piercing glances of thine eyes,
Affrighted Love expands his wings and flies;
And as a flower that shrinks beneath the blight,
Insulted friendship sickens at thy sight;
Yet when with all thy gay and sportive grace
Thou com'st to light up joy in every face,
And bring'st frank pleasantry and fancy wild,
With humour quaint, thy mirth-inspiring child;
When calm forbearance checks thy rapid tide,
And judgment deigns thy erring steps to guide;
While mild good-humour tempers every dart,
And bids thee throw thy scorpion lash apart.
Who but must yield to thy bewitching power,
And rather brave the thorn—than lose the flower,
Resentment soften'd by thy smile disarms,
And ev'n relenting wisdom owns thy charms.

Oh winning mischief, fertile source of ill,
While I condemn thee—I must love thee still
By reason prompted I would break thy chain,
But one bright look would lure me back again.