MUST beauty reign with tyrant sway,
And every nobler prize excel;
Eclipsing with her transient ray,
The bosom where the virtues dwell?
Th’ alluring splendor of the eye
That sets the gazer’s soul on fire,
Is not so lovely as the sigh
That melts when touch’d by pity’s lyre!
Death soon shall spoil the rosy face;
Whilst all the flowery wreaths that bind
The temples which Minerva grace,
Shall live with th’ undecaying mind.
Behold on high, with colours gay,
The splendid glories of the bow!
And rapid as they pass away,
O! think how beauty fades below!
But thou, Maria! soul divine!
And vested with an angel’s air,
Canst view no gem but virtue shine,
And wisdom is thy fondest prayer!
With thee my Muse shall still reside,
In whose sweet breast, of purest mould,
No passing thought, no glare of pride,
Can thy own loveliness behold!
(Emma Lyon)
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