TH ‘ unfading wreath by Genius only won,
Pleas’d I return to grace her favour’d son;
For truth forbids her votaries to wear
Flowers that would wither in a foreign air;
Yet ere the gift I totally resign,
Some simple buds I still would own as mine.
Those that without the advantages of art,
From nature spring and twine around the heart;
Friendship sincere, the same in ev’ry clime,
Unhurt by storms, and unimpaired by time;
And heartfelt gratitude, by heav’n inspir’d,
Stern rectitude and sympathy untir’d;
These would I pluck, nor shall the wreath divine,
Boast fewer blossoms or their loss repine;
From every stem shall sweeter flow’rets rise,
Enriching him who owns the sacred prize;
Take then the gift which while he sweetly smil’d,
Apollo destin’d for his “favour’d child. “
But not to me belongs that sacred name,
Unskill’d in poetry, unknown to fame,
Till M . . . . . ‘s lays imparted radiance pour,
And shed unnumber’d beams in what was dark before.
So the rough diamond in its native mine,
By no refulgence of its own can shine;
But when presented to the solar ray,
It stands distinguish’d from its kindred clay.
Narcissus once, ’tis said, in still amaze,
On an unruffled lake had fix’d his gaze;
Saw his bright image shine supremely fair,
Admir’d his form, but thought a stranger there;
So when the conscious spirit strictly true,
Brings ev’ry living virtue to your view;
And on the page adorn’d with ev’ry grace,
The great, the finish’d character you trace;
Fancy supplies a name before unknown,
And gives to Stella what is all your own.
(Elizabeth Bath)
More Poetry from Elizabeth Bath:
Elizabeth Bath Poems based on Topics: Friendship, Time, Charity, Fairness, Art, Sincerity, Gratitude, Name, Literature, Sons, Fame- Poems (Elizabeth Bath Poems)
- Lines Adressed To A Young Friend, During A Visit At The Sea Coast (Elizabeth Bath Poems)
- Lines, (Elizabeth Bath Poems)
- Reflections In A Burial Ground (Elizabeth Bath Poems)
- Address To Solitude (Elizabeth Bath Poems)
- An Effusion (Elizabeth Bath Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Time Poems, Fairness Poems, Friendship Poems, Name Poems, Art Poems, Sons Poems, Literature Poems, Charity Poems, Fame Poems, Poetry Poems, Sincerity PoemsBased on Keywords: enriching, imparted, votaries, unskill, rectitude, advantages, unhurt, refulgence, untir, unimpaired