EPISTLES.
TO A LADY,
SITTING BEFORE HER GLASS.
I.
So smooth and clear the fountain was
In which his face Narcissus spy'd,
When, gazing in that liquid glass,
He for himself despair'd and dy'd:
Nor, Chloris, can you safer see 5
Your own perfections here than he.
So smooth and clear the fountain was
In which his face Narcissus spy'd,
When, gazing in that liquid glass,
He for himself despair'd and dy'd:
Nor, Chloris, can you safer see 5
Your own perfections here than he.
II.
The lark before the mirror plays
Which some deceitful swain has set;
Pleas'd with herself, she fondly stays
To die deluded in the net: 10
Love may such frauds for you prepare,
Yourself the captive and the snare.
The lark before the mirror plays
Which some deceitful swain has set;
Pleas'd with herself, she fondly stays
To die deluded in the net: 10
Love may such frauds for you prepare,
Yourself the captive and the snare.
III.
But, Chloris, whilst you there review
Those graces op'ning in their bloom,
Think how disease and age pursue, 10
Your riper glories to consume;
Then, sighing, you will wish your glass
Could shew to Chloris what she was.
But, Chloris, whilst you there review
Those graces op'ning in their bloom,
Think how disease and age pursue, 10
Your riper glories to consume;
Then, sighing, you will wish your glass
Could shew to Chloris what she was.
