DIANA CECIL, that rare beauty thou dost show Is not of milk or snow, Or such as pale and whitely things do owe, But an illustrious oriental bright, Like to the diamond's refracted light, Or early morning breaking from the night. Nor is thy hair and eyes made of that ruddy beam Or golden-sanded stream Which we find still the vulgar poets' theme, But reverend black, and such as you would say Light did but serve it, and did show the way By which at first night did precede the day. Nor is that symmetry of parts and form divine Made of one vulgar line, Or such as any know how to define, But of proportions new, so well express'd, That the perfections in each part confess'd Are beauties to themselves and to the rest. Wonder of all thy sex! let none henceforth inquire Why they so much admire, Since they that know thee best ascend no higher; Only, be not with common praises woo'd, Since admiration were no longer good, When men might hope more than they understood. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN EPITAPH by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE SEA GODS: 3 by HILDA DOOLITTLE MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER MORAL by THOMAS HOOD THE SLEEPING BEAUTY by SAMUEL ROGERS TO A FRIEND by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD DREAMS: ON THE HUNTING GROUND by DANIEL CHAUNCEY BREWER |