IF rightly tuneful bards decide,
If it be fix’d in Love’s decrees,
That Beauty ought not to be tried
But by its native power to please,
Then tell me, youths and lovers, tell—
What fair can Amoret excel?
Beholt that bright unsullied smile,
And wisdom speaking in her mien:
Yet—she so artless all the while,
So little studious to be seen—
We naught but instant gladness know,
Nor think to whom the gift we owe.
But neither music, nor the powers
Of youth and mirth and frolic cheer,
Add half the sunshine to the hours,
Or make life’s prospect half so clear,
As memory brings it to the eye
From scenes where Amoret was by.
This, sure, is Beauty’s happiest part;
This gives the most unbounded sway;
This shall enchant the subject heart
When rose and lily fade away;
And she be still, in spite of Time,
Sweet Amoret in all her prime.
(Mark Akenside)
More Poetry from Mark Akenside:
Mark Akenside Poems based on Topics: Love, Power, Fairness, Youth, Smiling, Charity, Time, Music- The Pleasures of Imagination: (Mark Akenside Poems)
- Hymn To The Naiads (Mark Akenside Poems)
- Ode XVIII: To The Right Honourable Francis Earl Of Huntington (Mark Akenside Poems)
- Ode IX: To Curio (Mark Akenside Poems)
- A British PHILIPPIC (Mark Akenside Poems)
- Ode XI: To The Country Gentlemen Of England (Mark Akenside Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Time Poems, Youth Poems, Fairness Poems, Smiling Poems, Power Poems, Charity Poems, Music PoemsBased on Keywords: tell-, seen-, amoret