Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MRS. FRANCES-ARABELLA KELLY, by MARY BARBER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MRS. FRANCES-ARABELLA KELLY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Today, as at my glass I stood
Last Line: For universal tyranny.'
Subject(s): Beauty


TODAY, as at my glass I stood,
To set my head-clothes and my hood,
I saw my grizzled locks with dread,
And called to mind the Gorgon's head.

Thought I, whate'er the poets say,
Medusa's hair was only grey:
Though Ovid, who the story told,
Was too well-bred to call her old;
But, what amounted to the same,
He made her an immortal dame.

Yet now, whene'er a matron sage
Hath felt the rugged hand of age,
You hear our witty coxcombs cry,
'Rot that old witch -- she'll never die';
Though, had they but a little reading,
Ovid would teach them better breeding.

I fancy now I hear you say,
'Grant heaven my locks may ne'er be grey!
Why am I told this frightful story,
To beauty a memento mori?'

And, as along the room you pass,
Casting your eye upon the glass,
'Surely,' say you, 'this lovely face
Will never suffer such disgrace:
The bloom, that on my cheek appears,
Will never be impaired by years.
Her envy, now I plainly see,
Makes her inscribe those lines to me.
These beldames, who were born before me,
Are grieved to see the men adore me:
Their snaky locks freeze up the blood;
My tresses fire the purple flood.

'Unnumbered slaves around me wait,
And from my eyes expect their fate.
I own of conquest I am vain,
Though I despise the slaves I gain.
Heaven gave me charms, and destined me
For universal tyranny.'





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