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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO SIMPLICITY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair village nymph, ah! May I meet
Last Line: And all the spells of fashion fail.
Alternate Author Name(s): Betham, Mary Matilda; Edwards, Matilda B.; Edwards, B. M.
Subject(s): Fashion; Simplicity


FAIR village nymph, ah! may I meet
Thy pleasing form wherever I stray!
With open air and converse sweet,
Still cheer my undiscovered way!

With eyes, that shew the placid mind,
And with no feigned emotions roll;
With mien, that sprightly or resigned,
Bespeaks the temper of the soul.

With smiles, where not the lips alone
Receive a brighter, vermil hue,
The cheek does warmer roses own,
And the eyes beam a deeper blue!

Though Fashion's minions scorn thy pow'r,
And slight thee, 'cause in russet drest,
Yet Joy frequents thy peaceful bow'r,
And sorrow flies to thee for rest.

The echoing laugh, the rapturous tear,
The smile of friendship, gay and free,
Delight but when they are sincere,
And given, lovely nymph, by thee.

When my Rosina reads a tale,
Though sweet the tuneful accents flow,
No studied pathos does prevail
To bid the hearer's bosom glow;

Her voice to sympathy resigned,
Each different feeling can impart.
And, tell me not, we ever can find
A modulator, like the heart!

And Mary's locks of glossy brown,
That fall in waves, with graceful swell,
In ever-varying ringlets thrown,
The fairest curls of art excel.

Still robed in innocence and ease,
Daughter of Truth, shall thou prevail,
When Affectation cannot please,
And all the spells of Fashion fail.






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