The Home Book of Verse Volume I Part 81

Not she with traitorous kiss her Saviour stung, Not she denied him with unholy tongue; She, while apostles shrank, could dangers brave, Last at the cross and earliest at the grave.

Eaton Stannard Barrett [1786-1820]

WOMAN

There in the fane a beauteous creature stands, The first best work of the Creator's hands, Whose slender limbs inadequately bear A full-orbed bosom and a weight of care; Whose teeth like pearls, whose lips like cherries, show, And fawn-like eyes still tremble as they glow.

From the Sanskrit of Calidasa

SIMPLEX MUNDITIIS From "Epicoene"

Still to be neat, still to be dressed As you were going to a feast; Still to be powdered, still perfumed: Lady, it is to be presumed, Though art's hid causes are not found, All is not sweet, all is not sound.

Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace; Robes loosely flowing, hair as free: Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art; They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.

Ben Jonson [1573?-1637]

DELIGHT IN DISORDER

A sweet disorder in the dress Kindles in clothes a wantonness: A lawn about the shoulders thrown Into a fine distraction: An erring lace, which here and there Enthrals the crimson stomacher: A cuff neglectful, and thereby Ribbons to flow confusedly: A winning wave, deserving note, In the tempestuous petticoat: A careless shoe-string, in whose tie I see a wild civility: Do more bewitch me than when art Is too precise in every part.

Robert Herrick [1591-1674]

A PRAISE OF HIS LADY

Give place, you ladies, and begone!

Boast not yourselves at all!

For here at hand approacheth one Whose face will stain you all.

The virtue of her lively looks Excels the precious stone; I wish to have none other books To read or look upon.

In each of her two crystal eyes Smileth a naked boy; It would you all in heart suffice To see that lamp of joy.

I think Nature hath lost the mould Where she her shape did take; Or else I doubt if Nature could So fair a creature make.

She may be well compared Unto the Phoenix kind, Whose like was never seen nor heard, That any man can find.

In life she is Diana chaste, In truth Penelope; In word and eke in deed steadfast.

What will you more we say?

If all the world were sought so far, Who could find such a wight?

Her beauty twinkleth like a star Within the frosty night.

Her roseal color comes and goes With such a comely grace, More ruddier, too, than doth the rose Within her lively face.

At Bacchus' feast none shall her meet, Nor at no wanton play, Nor gazing in an open street, Nor gadding as a stray.

The modest mirth that she doth use Is mixed with shamefastness; All vice she doth wholly refuse, And hateth idleness.

O Lord! it is a world to see How virtue can repair, And deck her in such honesty, Whom Nature made so fair.

Truly she doth so far exceed Our women nowadays, As doth the gillyflower a weed; And more a thousand ways.

How might I do to get a graff Of this unspotted tree?

For all the rest are plain but chaff, Which seem good corn to be.

This gift alone I shall her give: When death doth what he can, Her honest fame shall ever live Within the mouth of man.

John Heywood [1497?-1580?]

ON A CERTAIN LADY AT COURT

I know a thing that's most uncommon; (Envy, be silent and attend!) I know a reasonable woman, Handsome and witty, yet a friend.

Not warped by pa.s.sion, awed by rumor; Not grave through pride, nor gay through folly; An equal mixture of good-humor And sensible soft melancholy.

"Has she no faults then, (Envy says), Sir?"

Yes, she has one, I must aver: When all the world conspires to praise her, The woman's deaf, and does not hear.

Alexander Pope [1688-1744]

PERFECT WOMAN

She was a phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight; A lovely apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of twilight fair; Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair; But all things else about her drawn From May-time and the cheerful dawn; A dancing shape, an image gay, To haunt, to startle, and waylay.

I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too!

Her household motions light and free, And steps of virgin liberty; A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet; A creature not too bright or good For human nature's daily food; For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.

And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A being breathing thoughtful breath, A traveller between life and death; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; A perfect Woman, n.o.bly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of angelic light.