What's Female Beauty, but an Art divine, Through which the Mind's all gentle Graces shine? They like the Sun irradiate all between; The Body charms, because the Mind is seen.
If rightly tuneful bards decide, If it be fix'd in love's decrees, That beauty ought not to be tried But by its native power to please, Then tell me, youths and lovers, tell,...
With what attractive charms this goodly frame Of nature touches the consenting hearts Of mortal men; and what the pleasing stores Which beauteous imitation thence derives...
With what inchantment nature's goodly scene Attracts the sense of mortals; how the mind For its own eye doth objects nobler still Prepare; how men by various lessons learn...
One effort more, one cheerful sally more, Our destin'd course will finish. and in peace Then, for an offering sacred to the powers Who lent us gracious guidance, we will then...
When shall the laurel and the vocal string Resume their honours? When shall we behold The tuneful tongue, the Prometh'an hand Aspire to ancient praise? Alas! how faint,...
Thus far of beauty and the pleasing forms Which man's untutor'd fancy, from the scenes Imperfect of this ever-changing world, Creates; and views, inamor'd. Now my song...
What tongue then may explain the various fate Which reigns o'er earth? or who to mortal eyes Illustrate this perplexing labyrinth Of joy and woe through which the feet of man...
Behold; the Balance in the sky Swift on the wintry scale inclines: To earthy caves the Dryads fly, And the bare pastures Pan resigns. Late did the farmer's fork o'erspread...
The men renown'd as chiefs of human race, And born to lead in counsels or in arms, Have seldom turn'd their feet from glory's chace To dwell with books or court the Muse's charms....
For toils which patriots have endur'd, For treason quell'd and laws secur'd, In every nation Time displays The palm of honourable praise. Envy may rail; and faction fierce...