Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A LADY, WITH SOME POETICAL EXTRACTS, by GEORGE CRABBE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A LADY, WITH SOME POETICAL EXTRACTS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Say, shall thine eye, and with the eye the mind
Last Line: And weeps her transport, where expression fails.


SAY, shall thine eye, and with the eye the mind,
Dwell on a work for thee alone design'd?
Traced by my hand, selected by my heart,
Will it not pleasure to a friend impart;
And her dear smile an ample payment prove
For this light labour of aspiring love?

Read, but with partial mind, the themes I choose:
A friend transcribes, and let a friend peruse:
This shall a charm to every verse impart,
And the cold line shall reach the willing heart:
For willing hearts the tamest song approve,
All read with pleasure when they read with love.

There are no passions to the Muse unknown, --
Fear, sorrow, hope, joy, pity are her own:
She gives to each the strength, the tone, the power,
By varying moods to suit the varying hour;
She plays with each, and veils in changing robes
The grief she pities, and the love she probes.

'Tis hers for wo the sullen smile to feign,
And Laughter lend to Envy's rankling pain;
Soft Pity's look to Scorn, mild Friendship's to Disdain.
Joy inexpressive with her tear she veils,
And weeps her transport, where expression fails.





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