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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VERSES LEFT ON A LADY'S TOILETTE by THOMAS WARTON THE ELDER

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 @3Flavia,@1 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 @3Bestia@1 patch and trick her out with Art,
In Crape or Cotton Beauty strikes the Heart:
What if too Gold adorn the artless Frame,
A @3Titian@1's glowing Tints are still the same;
Rich Spice ne'er loses its Perfumes or Sweets,
Tho' wrapt in dull @3Lauraster@1'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 @3Raphael@1 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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