The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/To a Lady, sitting before her glass

by Elijah Fenton

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EPISTLES.

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TO A LADY,

SITTING BEFORE HER GLASS.

 

I.
So smooth and clear the fountain was
In which his face Narcissus spy'd,
When, gazing in that liquid glass,
He for himself despair'd and dy'd:
Nor, Chloris, can you safer see 5
Your own perfections here than he.

II.
The lark before the mirror plays
Which some deceitful swain has set;
Pleas'd with herself, she fondly stays
To die deluded in the net: 10
Love may such frauds for you prepare,
Yourself the captive and the snare.

III.
But, Chloris, whilst you there review
Those graces op'ning in their bloom,
Think how disease and age pursue, 10
Your riper glories to consume;
Then, sighing, you will wish your glass
Could shew to Chloris what she was.

IV.
Let pride no more give Nature law,
But free the youth your pow'r enslaves: 20
Her form, like your's, bright Cynthia saw
Reflected on the crystal waves,
Yet priz'd not all her charms above
The pleasure of Endymion's love.

V.
No longer let your glass supply 25
Teo just an emblem of your breast,
Where oft' to my deluded eye
Love's image has appear'd imprest,
But play'd so lightly on your mind,
It left no lasting print behind. 30