Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO THE COUNTESS OF DORSET by MATTHEW PRIOR

First Line: SEE HERE HOW BRIGHT THE FIRST-BORN VIRGIN SHONE
Last Line: THERE'S NO WAY TO BE SAFE, BUT NOT TO SEE.
Subject(s): BEAUTY; LOVE; MARY. MOTHER OF JESUS; MILTON, JOHN (1608-1674); WOMEN - BIBLE; VIRGIN MARY;

SEE here how bright the first-born virgin shone,
And how the first fond lover was undone.
Such charming words our beauteous mother spoke,
As Milton wrote, and such as yours her look.
Yours, the best copy of the original face,
Whose beauty was to furnish all the race.
Such chains no author could escape but he;
There's no way to be safe, but not to see.



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