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The works of Allan Ramsay

edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law]

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THE Lovely Lass and the Mirror.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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THE Lovely Lass and the Mirror.

A Nymph, with ilka Beauty grac'd,
Ae Morning by her Toilet plac'd,
Where the leal-hearted Looking-glass
With Truths addresst the lovely Lass;—
To do ye Justice, heavenly Fair,
Amaist in Charms ye may compare
With Venus sell.—But mind amaist:
For tho' you're happily possest
Of ilka Grace which claims Respect,
Yet I see Faults ye should correct;
I own they only Trifles are,
Yet of Importance to the Fair.

36

What signifies that Patch o'er braid,
With which your rosie Cheek's o'erlaid?
Your natural Beauties you beguile,
By that too much affected Smile:
Saften that Look,—move ay with Ease,
And you can never fail to please.
Those kind Advices she approv'd,
And mair her Monitor she lov'd;
Till in came Visitants a Threave:
To entertain them, she maun leave
Her Looking-glass.—They fleetching praise
Her Looks,—her Dress,—and a' she says,
Be't right or wrang; she's hale compleat,
And fails in naithing fair or sweet.
Sae much was said, the bonny Lass
Forgat her faithfu' Looking-glass.
CLARINDA, this dear Beauty's You,
The Mirror is, Ane good and wise,
Wha, by his Counsels just, can shew
How Nobles may to Greatness rise.
God bless the Wark:—If you're opprest
By Parasites with fause Design,
Then will sic faithfu' Mirrors best
These Underplotters countermine.