Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO LADY CHARLOTTYE GORDON; DRESSED IN A TARTAN SCOTCH BONNET by JAMES BEATTIE

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHY, LADY, WILT THOU BIND THY LOVELY BROW
Last Line: SMILES, GRACES, GENTLENESS, HER ONLY ARMS.
Subject(s): HATS;
1 WHY, lady, wilt thou bind thy lovely brow
With the dread semblance of that warlike helm;
That nodding plume, and wreath of various glow,
That graced the chiefs of Scotia's ancient realm?

2 Thou know'st that Virtue is of power the source,
And all her magic to thy eyes is given;
We own their empire, while we feel their force,
Beaming with the benignity of heaven.

3 The plumy helmet and the martial mien
Might dignify Minerva's awful charms;
But more resistless far the Idalian queen --
Smiles, graces, gentleness, her only arms.



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