THOSE that can give, open their hands this day; Those that cannot, yet hold them up to pray, That health may crown the seasons of this year, And mirth dance round the circle; that no tear, Unless of joy, may with its briny dew Discolour on your cheek the rosy hue; That no access of years presume to abate Your beauty's ever-flourishing estate. Such cheap and vulgar wishes I could lay As trivial off'rings at your feet this day; But that it were apostacy in me To send a prayer to any deity But your divine self, who have power to give Those blessings unto others, such as live Like me, by the sole influence of your eyes, Whose fair aspects govern our destinies. Such incense, vows, and holy rites as were To the involved serpent of the year Paid by Egyptian priests, lay I before Lucinda's sacred shrine, whilst I adore Her beauteous eyes, and her pure altars dress With gums and spice of humble thankfulness. So may my goddess from her heaven inspire My frozen bosom with a Delphic fire; And then the world shall, by that glorious flame, Behold the blaze of thy immortal name. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FARRAGUT by WILLIAM TUCKEY MEREDITH AFTER DEATH by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE OLD COWPUNCHER SPEAKS by BERTON BRALEY SINGING HANDS by CAREY YATES BUSBY THE WILD GALLANT, REVIVED: EPILOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN |