Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CHOICE OF A WIFE by ROYALL TYLER

First Line: FLUTTERING LOVERS, GIDDY BOYS
Last Line: AND MADE THE EYE PROCLAIM THE MIND.
Subject(s): MARRIAGE; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

FLUTTERING lovers, giddy boys,
Sighing soft for Hymen's joys,
Would you shun the tricking arts,
Beauty's traps for youthful hearts,
Would you treasure in a wife,
Riches, which shall last through life;
Would you in your choice be nice,
Hear Minerva's sage advice.

Be not caught with shape, nor air,
Coral lips, nor flowing hair;
Shape and jaunty air may cheat,
Coral lips may speak deceit.
Girls unmask'd would you descry,
Fix your fancy on the eye;
NATURE there has truth design'd,
'T is the eye, that speaks the mind.
Shun the proud, disdainful eye,
Frowning fancied dignity,
Shun the eye with vacant glare;
COLD INDIFFERENCE WINTERS THERE.
Shun the eager orb of fire
Gloating with impure desire;
Shun the wily eye of prude,
Looking coy to be pursued.
From the jilting eye refrain,
Glancing love, and now disdain.
Fly the fierce, satiric eye,
Shooting keen severity;
For Nature thus, her truth design'd
And made the eye proclaim the mind.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net