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Poems on Several Occasions

... To which is added, the Plague of Wealth, Occasion'd By the Author's receiving fifty Pounds from his Excellency the Lord Carteret, for the foremention'd Ode. With several Poems not in the Dublin Edition. By Matthew Pilkington. Revised by the Reverend Dr. Swift
  

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MIRA's Picture.
  
  
  
  
  
  
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 VIII. 
 IX. 
 XXXIV. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

MIRA's Picture.

As Mira the Lovely, whom Nature with Care,
Created surpassingly Virtuous and Fair,
Convers'd with Clarissa, in Words that reveal,
That Learning and Wit which she strives to conceal,

77

A Poet was near, who perceiv'd with Surprize,
The Charms of her Mind equal those of her Eyes;
So perfect a Form, so harmonious a Tongue,
No Pencil e'er painted, no Poet e'er sung:
And whilst her Perfections with Wonder he views,
Thus, to Cupid, her constant Attendant, he sues.
What Language, O Cupid, what Words shall I find,
To speak the Perfections that polish her Mind?
O! tell me what Colours can paint ev'ry Grace,
That lives in her Language, and blooms in her Face!
Ne'er hope it, cries Love, not Apollo's own Lays
Such various Perfections cou'd worthily praise;

78

Her Wisdom the Envy of Pallas might move,
Her Beauty give Pain to the Goddess of Love.
But wou'd you describe her both wise and sincere,
Than Sweet-breathing Blossoms more fragrant and fair,
Of more Graces divine, more Virtues possest,
Than ever resided in one Woman's Breast,
Call her Chloe's Reverse, and Mankind will know,
That Mira's the perfectest Being below.