Classic Poem

M ORTALL , wouldst thou wooe a Feature
In a glasse? or please thy Eye
With a Shadow, for a Creature?
Or bring all thy hopes, to Dye
In the Earlie Spring of Nature
For a breath of vanitie?
Or resigne, what you may claime
To the vogue of vulgar Fame?

Quickly Come; and here behold
The Strange Mirror: she presents
Earth, and Ashes; Seeming Gold
To enrich your Monuments;
Frees from Envie, keeps from old
The feature of your faire intents;
Publisheth, in liveing Storie
All that can adde, to your Glorie.

Would you be thought rich, or wise?
Valiant? or be ever yong?
Handsome? nothing Shee denies
That has being, from the Tongue.
Were you odious, for your vice,
Infamous, as could be Sung,
Time should keepe your monument
Vertue's liveing ornament;

But noe more; let Sence retire,
And with Reasons Eye, Survay
The vast Shadow you admire.
Waneing, wasting with the Day;
Time is false, and Fame a Liar;
Vertue, only fixt; and may
Create, beyond the breath of fame,
A Thousand Honours to your Name.