Eidyllia or, miscellaneous poems; On losing Milton: an Ode. To Isabella: an Ode. The Fair Matron: an Ode. Virtue's Expostulation: an Ode. To Adversity: an Ode. Philocles: a Monody. The Muses triumphant over Venus: a Tale. With a hint to the British Poets. By the Author of Animadversions upon the Reverend Doctor Brown's three essays on the Characteristicks; and of a Criticism on the late Reverend Mr Holland's Sermons [by Robert Colvill] |
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Upon seeing a fair Matron with her Husband and Daughter at the Theatre;
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 | Eidyllia |  |
Upon seeing a fair Matron with her Husband and Daughter at the Theatre;
in answer to a young Officer, who very wittily broke out, Venus! by God:
An ODE.
Venus, d'ye say? For beauty not unlike.
But where's, my friend! the wish-inspiring glance?
The ambiguous aspect, lure and rack of love?
Pale, flushing languish? Or the scornful frown,
Ending repentant in a luscious smile?
But where's, my friend! the wish-inspiring glance?
The ambiguous aspect, lure and rack of love?
Pale, flushing languish? Or the scornful frown,
Ending repentant in a luscious smile?
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No. Virtue inspiriting that noble form
Than Venus ever boasted more divine
Sure has on earth descended to reveal
Herself. How lovely! Made thus visible!
That shape how just! In that complection, fair
As innocence unspotted, sweetly glow
The mingled delicacies. In her eye
Sparkles her soul. Her features and her mien
High dignity yet goodness more express;
All-beautifying and immortal grace.
And in her gesture each new attitude
Borrowing from her Guardian-Angel's Form
Still some new charm, as Iris from the Sun
The varying beauties of the light, reflects.
In crouded theatre by all admir'd,
With eyes untwinkling as in rapture fix'd,
Unconscious and compos'd she looks around:
Or on her Lord, or their Joint Image smiles,
Fair fruit and blessing of connubial love.
Than Venus ever boasted more divine
Sure has on earth descended to reveal
Herself. How lovely! Made thus visible!
That shape how just! In that complection, fair
As innocence unspotted, sweetly glow
The mingled delicacies. In her eye
Sparkles her soul. Her features and her mien
High dignity yet goodness more express;
All-beautifying and immortal grace.
And in her gesture each new attitude
Borrowing from her Guardian-Angel's Form
Still some new charm, as Iris from the Sun
The varying beauties of the light, reflects.
In crouded theatre by all admir'd,
With eyes untwinkling as in rapture fix'd,
Unconscious and compos'd she looks around:
Or on her Lord, or their Joint Image smiles,
Fair fruit and blessing of connubial love.
Such, Holy Matrimony! are thy joys!
Ye blooming Fair! like her, you too admire,
Beauty and Virtue ever think the same.
One with your love, all with your goodness bless:
And bloom immortal in a lovely Race.
Ye blooming Fair! like her, you too admire,
Beauty and Virtue ever think the same.
One with your love, all with your goodness bless:
And bloom immortal in a lovely Race.
| Eidyllia | |