SAY, shall thine eye, and with the eye the mind, Dwell on a work for thee alone design'd? Traced by my hand, selected by my heart, Will it not pleasure to a friend impart; And her dear smile an ample payment prove For this light labour of aspiring love? Read, but with partial mind, the themes I choose: A friend transcribes, and let a friend peruse: This shall a charm to every verse impart, And the cold line shall reach the willing heart: For willing hearts the tamest song approve, All read with pleasure when they read with love. There are no passions to the Muse unknown, -- Fear, sorrow, hope, joy, pity are her own: She gives to each the strength, the tone, the power, By varying moods to suit the varying hour; She plays with each, and veils in changing robes The grief she pities, and the love she probes. 'Tis hers for wo the sullen smile to feign, And Laughter lend to Envy's rankling pain; Soft Pity's look to Scorn, mild Friendship's to Disdain. Joy inexpressive with her tear she veils, And weeps her transport, where expression fails. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVERS' INFINITENESS by JOHN DONNE THE SONG OF THE BEASTS by RUPERT BROOKE FROM THE FRENCH by GEORGE GORDON BYRON THE DEATH-BOAT OF HELIGOLAND by THOMAS CAMPBELL THE CANTERBURY TALES: THE COOK'S PROLOGUE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER OLNEY HYMNS: 17. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER by WILLIAM COWPER NATIVITY by PHILIP H. CUMMINGS |