P O E T R Y« 419
So fliine themfelves in Beauty's drefs ;
As clear their polil'h'd fkin ; But elfe 'tis all vaft emptinefs.
Or duft and filth within. >6. Ufelefs alike the painted jar.
And fho ' y tinfel maid : Both charm the fenfcs, vievv'd afar,
And pall when near difplay'd.
17- Blufhes and Virtue hence are fled.
In thefe degen'rate days: This huge rotundity we tread. And loft mankind decays. 18. Few heavenly forms adorn the Ilage,
Since Nature waxes old : One is the labour of an age
Wrought in a perfed mould, 19. Could I but find that fingle She,
Incomparable Boy ! Stamp'd with the hand which fafhion'd Thee, And pure without alloy. 20. Then ihould my Mufe to Hymen bend.
And (bout his wheels along. With eager joy his fteps attend. And tune the grateful fong. 21. And lo ! propitious to my vows. Behold ! the God appears. Smiling he leads thy deftin'd fpoufe. And chafes all my fears.
22. /_
Fair Virgin, hail! hail, blooming Fair !
Thrice hail ! exalted Maid ! High as my warmeft wilhes were. They nobly here are paid. 23. Bleft are mine eyes which view the fight:'
But doubly bleft is He Who gives thy gentle thoughts delight. And rcfts his foul on Thee. 24. With confcious Innocence fhe moves Where Honour pointt the way | Sage Pallas all her fteps approves. And glads the nuptial day.
£ e 2 2;. Here
