A damask cheek, an ivory arm, A face where awful honor shines, The tenderness of love. These are the soul of beauty's frame; And all her roses dead. But ah! where both their charms unite, How perfect is the view, Of power to charm the greatest woe, Their power but faintly to express But go, behold Arpasia's face, And read it perfect there. Mark Akenside [1721-1770] KATE OF ABERDEEN THE silver moon's enamored beam To beds of state go balmy sleep ('Tis where you've seldom been), May's vigil while the shepherds keep With Kate of Aberdeen. Song Upon the green the virgins wait, Till morn unbar her golden gate, Strike up the tabor's boldest notes, The nested birds shall raise their throats, And see the matin lark mistakes, He quits the tufted green: Fond bird! 'tis not the morning breaks, 'Tis Kate of Aberdeen. Now lightsome o'er the level mead, Like them the jocund dance we'll lead, For see the rosy May draws nigh, She claims a virgin Queen; And hark, the happy shepherds cry, 'Tis Kate of Aberdeen. 521 John Cunningham [1729-1773] SONG WHO has robbed the ocean cave, To tinge thy lips with coral hue? Who from India's distant wave For thee those pearly treasures drew? Stole the morning of thine eye? A thousand charms, thy form to deck, On thy breath their fragrance borne. Guard thy bosom from the day, But one charm remains behind, Nor in the circling air, a heart. John Shaw [1559-1625] CHLOE It was the charming month of May, The youthful, charming Chloe The feathered people you might see, They hail the charming Chloe; Robert Burns [1759-1796] The Lover's Choice 523 "O MALLY'S MEEK, MALLY'S SWEET” As I was walking up the street, A barefit maid I chanced to meet; For that fair maiden's tender feet. Mally's every way complete. It were more meet that those fine feet Within yon chariot gilt aboon. Her yellow hair, beyond compare, Comes trinkling down her swan-white neck, And her two eyes, like stars in skies, Would keep a sinking ship frae wreck. O Mally's meek, Mally's sweet, Mally's modest and discreet, Mally's rare, Mally's fair, Mally's every way complete. Robert Burns [1759-1796] THE LOVER'S CHOICE You, Damon, covet to possess The nymph that sparkles in her dress; And clasp an armful of brocade. Such raise the price of your delight With colors of adulterate art. Me, Damon, me the maid enchants No art she knows, or seeks to know; No gems, no gold she needs to wear; She shines intrinsically fair. Thomas Bedingfield [ ? -1613] RONDEAU REDOUBLE My day and night are in my lady's hand; Her anger darkens all the cheerful light. All heaven in her glorious eyes is spanned; Her smile is softer than the summer's night, What if the Winter chase the Summer bland! Love is my Lord in all the world's despite My day and night. John Payne [fl. 1770-1800] |