Original poems on several subjects :: :: University of Virginia Library

Original poems on several subjects

In two volumes. By William Stevenson

Stevenson, William (ca. 1719-1783)

II.

Epitaphs for a MISER.

A REVERY.

Description of the FACE.

Written in an Arbour at the foot of a Garden.

To Miss J---y ---

To Miss Annie Hamilton.

To a Lady offended at seeing her Verses printed, on account of their being too simple.

On the Death of Mr Allan Ramsay .

Advice to a LADY,

To ---

A Sketch of NOON.

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314

To a Lady offended at seeing her Verses printed, on account of their being too simple.

You still, my fair, prepost'rously complain,
Your verses are too simple and too plain,
When, if you mind the critically wise,
Their very beauty in their plainness lies;
As lilies charm in plain and simple white,
But, daub'd with vermile, would disgust the sight;
As the false cheek's vile artificial flush
Can never pass for Nature's roseate blush.
How easy to throw off the tumid phrase,
And interlard with epithets the lays!
But the parade of florid words confounds,
And sentiment is lost in pomp of sounds:
As the fresh landscape's vivid green looks pale,
When noon's strong light and scorching heats prevail.
If suited to the circumstance, and place,
Simplicity is woman's truest grace.
When thoughtless females the reverse prefer,
From Nature they depart, and always err.
Mere Affectation vainly would assert
A steady, lasting empire o'er the heart.

315

Let then, if you expect to be a wife,
Your numbers be an emblem of your life;
Thus, rather than complain with captious voice,
You may have cause to triumph and rejoice.