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CHARACTERS: SARAH RIGBY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Skill'd in each art to fan the lover's fire
Last Line: And if you would not love forbear to gaze.
Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Anna Letitia


Skill'd in each art to fan the lover's fire,
And nurse the tender buds of young desire;
Soft smiles, whose dimpling eddies smoothly play
And suck in careless hearts, an easy prey.
The pensive languor, mix'd with sprightly ease,
And graceful pride, and manners form'd to please;
Ambiguous looks, that nourish doubtful care,
Faint gleams of hope, that just prevent despair,
Soft winning speech, and more prevailing sighs,
With the dumb eloquence of charming eyes:
While shifting still o'er Beauty's radiant form
The Proteus robe of grace improves each charm.
Fly, fly the dangers of so sweet a face
And if you would not love forbear to gaze.





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