University of Virginia Library

On Sight of a young Lady's Picture, executed by a female Artist, from Abroad.

Tho' painters much have been decry'd,
For flatt'ring whom they draw,
Yet you, it must not be deny'd,
Paint void of such a flaw.
Are these the looks, so sweetly bright,
That emulate the day?
Is this the face, that charms the sight,
And steals the heart away?
Others had touch'd those eyes with fire,
Had taught that breast to heave;
Those smiling lips to wake desire,
And bade the potrait live.
Hence vanity, with scornful air,
Thinks Venus' praise a debt;
The silent canvass prompts the fair
To turn a pert coquette.
Methinks I ne'er look'd so divine!
These graces all surpass!
How just my charms in painting shine
Away, thou lying glass!
Thus oft' exults some pictur'd maid,
To pride estrang'd before;
But your surprising light and shade,
Make none themselves adore:
In pity to each am'rous swain,
You sink what others raise;
The ugliest face can ne'er be vain
Of what your art displays.
Tho' prudence gilds my Celia's mind,
Where gentlest virtues spring,
Yet to have drawn her so refin'd,
Had been a dang'rous thing:
Perhaps she'ad been o'erjoy'd to see,
What charms herself adorn;
Perhaps her soft esteem for me
Had been revers'd to scorn.
'Twere hazardous to risque the view;—
Such pow'r you thought shou'd strike less;
And of the witch of Endor drew
A most amazing likeness.