 | Poems upon several Occasions |  |
48
The Artless Beauty.
1
Some may esteem those Beauties most DivineThat dress'd in sparkling Di'monds shine;
Whose precious Rays are proudly shown
To give new Lustre, which conceal their own.
2
The Ropes of Pearl those meaner Beauties wear,Proclaim them rather Rich, than Fair;
False Lights their tarnish'd Forms disguise,
And Jewels glitter to reproach their Eyes.
3
Jewels like num'rous Stars set in the Sky,May form a spangl'd Galaxy,
May gild the Clouds, and make them bright.
But, when the Stars appear, we own 'tis Night.
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4
Tho' on the Moor his Flames bright Phœbus throws,Yet swarthy Night deforms his Brows,
Deep Shades his jetty Limbs o'rerun,
Which Darkness wear, tho' Neighbours to the Sun.
5
You may approve the Nymphs, whose Faces wearA Flattering Resemblance of the Fair;
The Pencil's mimick Beams admire,
That strive to warm a Heart with Painted Fire.
6
And thus a dazling Vapour once cou'd moveIxion with fond Hopes of Love;
The Youth a gilded Shadow woo'd,
And for a Goddess clasp'd a figur'd Cloud.
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7
Give me the artless blooming Maid,Whose Features need no foreign Aid,
Whose Cheeks kind Nature's Hands adorn,
With the same Blush that flecks the ruddy Morn.
8
On her fair Cheeks be no Vermilion spread,But that which flows in Native Red;
Let blushing Modesty commend each Grace,
And heighten all the Colours in her Face.
9
Give her no bright Attire, but let her DressOwe all its Charms to Comeliness:
Rich Drap'ry wrought by gaudy Art
May take the Eye, but never reach the Heart.
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10
Let her no Saphire wear, no precious Stone,But let her Beauty shine alone;
Thus furnish'd out from her own Store,
Not all the Indian World can give her more.
11
So Venus naked from the Ocean rose,Where Pearls are form'd, and Coral grows;
With Coral deckt, or Pearls She wou'd not be,
Herself the brightest Gem in all the Sea.
| Poems upon several Occasions | |