Living

In the Album of Miss ------

by Charles Lamb 1775–1834

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb, IV: Poems and Plays, ed. E. V. Lucas

Living

Such goodness in your face doth shine,
With modest look, without design,
That I despair, poor pen of mine
Can e'er express it.
To give it words I feebly try;
My spirits fail me to supply
Befitting language for't, and I
Can only bless it!

But stop, rash verse! and don't abuse
A bashful Maiden's ear with news
Of her own virtues. She'll refuse
Praise sung so loudly.
Of that same goodness, you admire,
The best part is, she don't aspire
To praise--nor of herself desire
To think too proudly.

MLA

Lamb, Charles. “In the Album of Miss ------.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/lamb/45/.

Chicago

Lamb, Charles. “In the Album of Miss ------.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/lamb/45/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Charles Lamb