Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WOMAN, by WILLIAM HERBERT (1778-1847) Poet's Biography First Line: Fairest and loveliest of created things Last Line: As thine original glory was more bright! Subject(s): Women | ||||||||
FAIREST and loveliest of created things, By our great Author in the image form'd Of his celestial glory, and design'd To be man's solace! Undefiled by sin How much dost thou exceed all earthly shapes Of beautiful, to charm the wistful eye, Bland to the touch, or precious in the use! His treasure of delight, while the fresh prime Adorns his forehead with the joy of youth, His comfort in the winter of the soul! Chaste woman! thou art e'en a brighter gem To him, who wears thee, than e'er shone display'd Upon the monarch's diadem; a charm More sweet to lull all sorrow, than the tint Of spring's young verdure in the dewy morn, Or music's mellow tones, which floating come Over the water like a fairy dream! Thou hangest, as a wreath upon his neck, More fragrant than the rose, in thy pure garb Of blushing gentleness. Thou art a joy More sprightly than the lark in vernal suns Pouring his throat to heaven, or forest call By blithesome Dryads blown; a faithful stay In all the world's mischances; a helpmeet For man in sickness, and decay, and death. Thou art more precious than an only child In weary age begotten, a clear spring Amid the desert, an unhoped-for land To baffled mariners, or dawn of day To who has press'd all night a fever'd couch. Oh, wherefore, best desired and most beloved Of all heaven's works, oh, wherefore wert thou made To be our curse as well as blessing! lured From thy first shape of innocence to become A thing abased by guilt, and more deform'd As thine original glory was more bright! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV AETIUS THE UNBELIEVER by WILLIAM HERBERT (1778-1847) |
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