Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VERSES LEFT ON A LADY'S TOILETTE, by THOMAS WARTON THE ELDER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VERSES LEFT ON A LADY'S TOILETTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Why will young flavia, all-accomplisht fair
Last Line: Who tire with gems and silks the dazled eyes.
Subject(s): Beauty; Grace; Simplicity; Vanity; Women


WHY will young Flavia, all-accomplisht Fair,
Curl, powder, stick with Gems her jetty Hair?
Swell with a Hoop her painted Peacock-Tail,
Big as a vaulted Dome, or bellying Sail?
Why twinkle Diamonds on that snowy Breast,
Why are those faultless Limbs in Velvets drest?
Let Bestia patch and trick her out with Art,
In Crape or Cotton Beauty strikes the Heart:
What if too Gold adorn the artless Frame,
A Titian's glowing Tints are still the same;
Rich Spice ne'er loses its Perfumes or Sweets,
Tho' wrapt in dull Lauraster's Birthday Sheets:
Arts that embellish Life none discommend,
If duly check'd to no Excess they tend:
The Peer should differ from gross, unbred Swain,
Gay, but not glittering; polite, but plain.
Thus Raphael joins Simplicity with Grace,
Beauteous, not glaring is each Limb and Face,
While artless Dawbers think they gain the Prize,
Who tire with Gems and Silks the dazled Eyes.





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