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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ADVICE TO SOPHRONIA, by MARY LEAPOR Poet's Biography First Line: When youth and charms have taken their wanton flight Last Line: And bear her safely to her virgin grave. Subject(s): Aging; Spinsters; Old Maids | |||
WHEN youth and charms have ta'en their wanton flight, And transient beauty bids the fair good-night; When once her sparkling eyes shall dimly roll, Then let the matron dress her lofty soul; Quit affectation, partner of her youth, For goodness, prudence, purity and truth. These virtues will her lasting peace prepare, And give a sanction to her silver hair. These precepts let the fond Sophronia prove, Nor vainly dress her blinking eyes with love. Can roses flourish on a leafless thorn, Or dewy woodbines grace a wintry morn? The weeping Cupids languish in your eye; On your brown cheek the sickly beauties die. Time's rugged hand has stroked your visage o'er; The gay vermilion stains your lip no more. None can with justice now your shape admire; The drooping lilies on your breast expire. Then, dear Sophronia, leave thy foolish whims: Discard your lover with your favourite sins. Consult your glass; then prune your wanton mind, Nor furnish laughter for succeeding time. 'Tis not your own; 'tis gold's all-conquering charms Invite Myrtillo to your shrivelled arms: And shall Sophronia, whose once-lovely eyes Beheld those triumphs which her heart despised, Who looked on merit with a haughty frown, At five-and-fifty take a beardless clown? Ye pitying Fates, this withered damsel save, And bear her safely to her virgin grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF A SPINSTER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON EMILY HARDCASTLE, SPINSTER by JOHN CROWE RANSOM SOME FOREIGN LETTERS by ANNE SEXTON PASSPORT BLUES by MALCOLM COWLEY A SPINSTER'S STINT by ALICE CARY MY AUNT by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES MEZZO CAMMIN by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |
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