MARK how this polish'd Eastern sheet Doth with our Northern tincture meet, For though the paper seem to sink, Yet it receives and bears the ink; And on her smooth soft brow these spots Seem rather ornaments than blots; Like those you ladies use to place Mysteriously about your face, Not only to set off and break Shadows and eye-beams, but to speak To the skill'd lover, and relate Unheard his sad or happy fate. Nor do their characters delight As careless works of black and white; But 'cause you underneath may find A sense that can inform the mind, Divine or moral rules impart, Or raptures of poetic art: So what at first was only fit To fold up silks may wrap up wit. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IF by EDWARD JAMES MORTIMER COLLINS SONG FOR A LITTLE HOUSE by CHRISTOPHER DARLINGTON MORLEY THE TROOPS by SIEGFRIED SASSOON SONNET TO MASTER GABRIELL HARVEY, DOCTOR OF LAWES by EDMUND SPENSER TO THE DAISY (1) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH AUNT CAROLINE by ANNYE LEWIS ALLISON |