Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, "TO A LADY, WITH A PRESENT OF A FAN", by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

"TO A LADY, WITH A PRESENT OF A FAN", by                    
First Line: "smiling, sweet girl, this proffered toy approve"
Last Line: "may to her wish this pliant engine frame, / to cool her passions, or to fan their flame"
Subject(s): Fans


SMILING, sweet girl, this proffered toy approve,
Cool though its use, the gift of warmest love.
Pressed by thy genial hand, behold it spread,
In pride expansive, its elastic head
(For thy dear fingers' sensitive caress
Instant can raise it, instantly depress);
Then, betwixt polished shafts of equal size,
From the round-swelling centre stately rise;
Till in full lustre all its beauties play,
Like rosebuds opening to the vernal ray:
For to the circulating orb below,
Solely its captivating powers we owe;
Powers, which to pleasure every joint constrain,
Till to its shape relax it shrinks again.
Its winning graces and seducing air,
Engage the wise, and prepossess the fair;
Ev'n virgin modesty, exempt from harms,
May oft employ its inoffensive charms;
For of its use no mark it leaves, no stain
Can from so pure an effluence remain.
For where's that lynx's piercing eye can trace
The track of eagles through th' ethereal space?
The serpent's devious maze along the plain?
Ship's paths—or winds that ventilate the main?
The brunette widow too may find relief
From this, to mitigate her ardent grief,
May to her wish this pliant engine frame,
To cool her passions, or to fan their flame.





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