Sketches in verse with prose illustrations. By Mr. Polwhele. Second edition, with several additional pieces |
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 | Sketches in verse |  |
68
SONNET TO A TOAD.
Tho' loathsome thou appear, 'tis said,Thou “hid'st a jewel in thy head!”
But why, my Toad, should we recur
To vulgar tales thy credit to support?
Come forth—and who would throw on thee a slur
Shall own, thou hast good reason to retort!
Come, nor within that ivied nook,
Resign thy beauty to the brook!
Lo, not the maid, for whom so cruel
Poor Colin heaves incessant sighs,
Boasts such a lustre as illumes thine eyes!
Then let us not too hastily condemn
The old tradition of the jewel;
Since in each eye we find the precious gem.
| Sketches in verse | |