 | Metrical Effusions |  |
182
STANZAS ON WOMAN.
“O Woman! in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade
By the light quivering aspen made.”
Walter Scott.
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade
By the light quivering aspen made.”
Walter Scott.
Hast thou not mark'd the smiling deep
All tranquil and serene;
When every zephyr seem'd asleep,
How lovely was the scene?
The murmuring sound of breaking waves,
The sun's resplendent beam,
Each sight, each sound the mind enslaves,
And aids the pleasing dream.
All tranquil and serene;
When every zephyr seem'd asleep,
How lovely was the scene?
The murmuring sound of breaking waves,
The sun's resplendent beam,
Each sight, each sound the mind enslaves,
And aids the pleasing dream.
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But soon, too soon the calm is past,
The pleasing scene is o'er;
And, driven before the dreadful blast,
The waves tremendous roar:
No more delighted by the view,
We strive to gain the shore;
Bid Neptune's element adieu,
And tempt the deep no more.
The pleasing scene is o'er;
And, driven before the dreadful blast,
The waves tremendous roar:
No more delighted by the view,
We strive to gain the shore;
Bid Neptune's element adieu,
And tempt the deep no more.
Hast thou not seen the blushing rose
Expand her beauties wide;
While every gale which round her blows,
With fragrance is supplied?
Attracted by the lovely sight
Such varied charms disclose,
We haste to rifle with delight
The bush whereon it grows;
Expand her beauties wide;
While every gale which round her blows,
With fragrance is supplied?
Attracted by the lovely sight
Such varied charms disclose,
We haste to rifle with delight
The bush whereon it grows;
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But soon we find a thorn conceal'd
Beneath the beauteous flower;
And stung with pain we gladly yield
What tempted us before;
Then opening buds, and blossoms gay
Delude the eye no more,
Experience clears the mists away,
And fancy's reign is o'er.
Beneath the beauteous flower;
And stung with pain we gladly yield
What tempted us before;
Then opening buds, and blossoms gay
Delude the eye no more,
Experience clears the mists away,
And fancy's reign is o'er.
So lovely woman charms our youth,
And prompts the frequent sigh;
Array'd in innocence and truth,
She strikes the wandering eye.
Officious fancy lends her aid
And whispers love and joy;
We think, could we obtain the maid,
Of bliss without alloy.
And prompts the frequent sigh;
Array'd in innocence and truth,
She strikes the wandering eye.
Officious fancy lends her aid
And whispers love and joy;
We think, could we obtain the maid,
Of bliss without alloy.
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Forbear, rash youth! the fruitless chase,
First let thy guileless heart,
From prudence wisely learn to trace
The snares of female art:
Their only wish to be admir'd,
They shoot the random dart;
The conquest gain'd, they soon are tir'd,
Nor strive to heal the smart.
First let thy guileless heart,
From prudence wisely learn to trace
The snares of female art:
Their only wish to be admir'd,
They shoot the random dart;
The conquest gain'd, they soon are tir'd,
Nor strive to heal the smart.
The glass, the toilette all their care,
And unimprov'd their mind;
What man of sense their smiles would share,
To fools and coxcombs kind:
Ah pause! ingenuous youth, nor brave
The dangers yet behind;
Dangers more dreadful than the wave,
Or stormy northern wind.
And unimprov'd their mind;
What man of sense their smiles would share,
To fools and coxcombs kind:
Ah pause! ingenuous youth, nor brave
The dangers yet behind;
Dangers more dreadful than the wave,
Or stormy northern wind.
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The rose's thorny stalk—the sea
With waves tempestuous foaming,
Speaks as it roars, and speaks to thee,
It says beware of Woman!
Far more inconstant than the breeze
Which is for ever roaming;
By art, by nature form'd to teaze,
Is lovely faithless Woman.
With waves tempestuous foaming,
Speaks as it roars, and speaks to thee,
It says beware of Woman!
Far more inconstant than the breeze
Which is for ever roaming;
By art, by nature form'd to teaze,
Is lovely faithless Woman.
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