Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO STELLA, AFTER THE SMALL-POX, by MARY JONES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO STELLA, AFTER THE SMALL-POX, by                    
First Line: When skilful traders first set up
Last Line: And of your mind remain the sign!
Variant Title(s): After The Small Pox
Subject(s): Small Pox


When skilful traders first set up,
To draw the people to their shop,
They straight hang out some gaudy sign,
Expressive of the goods within.
The Vintner has his boy and grapes,
The Haberdasher thread and tapes,
The Shoemaker exposes boots,
And Monmouth Street old tatter'd suits.

So fares it with the nymph divine;
For what is beauty but a sign?
A face hung out, through which is seen
The nature of the goods within.
Thus the coquette her beau ensnares
With studied smile and forward airs;
The graver prude hangs out a frown
To strike the audacious gazer down;
But she alone whose temperate wit
Each nicer medium can hit,
Is still adorn'd with every grace,
And wears a sample in her face.

What though some envious folks have said
That Stella now must hide her head,
That all her stock of beauty's gone,
And e'en the very sign took down;
Yet grieve not at the fatal blow,
For if you break awhile, we know
'T is bankrupt like, more rich to grow.
A fairer sign you'll soon hang up,
And with fresh credit open shop;
For nature's pencil soon shall trace,
And once more finish off your face:
Which all your neighbours shall outshine,
And of your Mind remain the sign!





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