University of Virginia Library

A Description of Mrs. E. T. as I saw her in the Exchange.

When I did first this charming object view,
Her Image in my Mind took Root & grew;
So rare a Piece and so divinely fair,
I wish'd the best of Painters had been there:
As piercing lightnings when they strik the ground
The Steel consum'd, the Scabbard Safe is found,
So did she glide along my purer Veins,
My Body's safe, my Soul still full of Pains;
Her Hair as black as that which Angels prize,
Before the Throne, veiling their weaker Eyes;
Her Brows were black, declining like the Bow,
Which Cupid, when he smil'd rejoyc'd to shew;
In lovely Spheres her Globes of Light did rowle,
And Man the strongest Planet did controul;
About her Cheeks ten thousand smiles did play,
Fair as the Beauties of the rising Day;
About her milky Neck and snowy Arms
There flow'd continual Rivulets of Charms;
So soft her Hands, so long, so charming white,
As might the chastest God from Heav'n invite;
Here you might see her Soul in Raptures pass,
Clear as the Lily in the Crystal Glass;
Each, Atome of her Body was so fine,
In ev'ry part it had the Stamp Divine.
The Greek that strove to make a piece so high,
As might the Works of Nature's self out-vie;
From all the rarest Patterns which he knew,
The best Perfections, which they had, he drew:
But after all it prov'd so ill, he swore,
He'd never strive to perfect Nature more;
Had he but seen that Piece that stood by me,
He'd lookt no further for Divinity.