Classic Poem

ON HER SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME AT THE LOOKING GLASS .

While at the mirror, lovely maid,
You trifle time away,
Reflect how soon your bloom will fade,
How soon your charms decay.

By nature form'd to please the eye,
All studied airs disdain; —
From art, from affectation fly,
And fashions light and vain.

Turn from the glass , and view your mind , —
On that bestow some care;
Improve, correct it, till you find
No imperfections there.

Make it the seat of ev'ry grace, —
Of charms that will encrease , —
And give bright lustre to the face,
When youth and beauty cease;

Charms that will gain a worthy heart,
And lasting love inspire, —
That will thro' life true bliss impart,
Nor yet with life expire.