Classic Poem

ADDRESSED TO A LADY, WITH A MIRROUR .

Homage of a vassal's dutie,
Render'd to commandynge beautie,
Ladie fayre, accept from mee
Tribute to thy sov'rantie! —
Let this little mirroure showe
Rather what I feele than owe; —
Small and simple tho it seeme,
Thou wilt of the offerynge deeme
By it's votarie's humble harte,
Rather than it's owne deserte.
Hither bende youre radiante eyne,
Rivall'd on this crystalle shrine,
That will shewe twinne-starres as bryghte,
Beamynge with reflected lyghte.
When youre cherub cheeke discloses
Rubied lyllies, pearled roses,
In this mirroure shall you meete
Flowers as fayre, tho not as sweet. —
Ladie, blushe not here to shewe
Love's luxuriante orbes of snowe;
Here with fearlesse hande unveile
Charmes that bashfulle maydes conceale;
To this silent frende confide
What, alasse, from mee you hide! —
Ladie, this is Candoure's booke;
Deigne you on it's leafe to looke,
It will speake in language trewe,
What no flatterynge tongue will doe:
While with sweetelie-wytchynge grace
Dimplynge smiles adorne your face,
Here an image you shall see,
Fayrer than E UPHROSYNE :
But if angry frownes deforme
That smoothe browe with gatherynge storme,
Straighte this uncorrupted mirroure
Plainlie will reflect your erroure. —
Ladie, feare not here to viewe
Face and minde in coloures trewe; —
Beautie 's flower will fade awaye,
Virtue never knowes decaye;
This is but a childe of erthe,
That to angelles owes her birthe: —
Ladie, guard with ceaselesse care
Virtue's blossome, sweete and rare! —
So, when threescore Summers passe,
Pictured in this faithfulle glasse,
Deck'd with innocence and truthe,
Age shall beare the bloome of youthe. —