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Poems and Plays

by Mr. Jerningham. In Four Volumes ... The Ninth Edition

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THE ANSWER.
  
  
  


93

THE ANSWER.

Say not, her blushing smile to raise,
“She's Wisdom's child—'Tis vulgar praise:
“Nor say, that various talents spread
“A triple wreath around her head.
“Call Fancy to pourtray the fair,
“And Truth, to check her hand, be there:
“Now bid the limner Fancy trace,
“With pencil light, each mental grace:
“Behold! she decks the task enjoin'd,
“And paints the features of the mind!
“Delighted on the cheek to throw
“Unalter'd friendship's warmest glow;
“To form acute the list'ning ear,
“Affliction's distant sigh to hear.

94

“Now, as destroying half she plann'd,
“See! Fancy, with obscuring hand,
“Flings (as of too much praise afraid)
“O'er many a moral charm a shade:
“The limner, now more bold and free,
“Displays an emblematic key,
“Whose whisp'ring mysteries reveal,
“The pow'r thro' every heart to steal.”