Relationships

Inscription to the Lady, whether Single or Married, who shall charitably purchase this Trifle

by Anna Seward 1742–1809

From Poetical Works, ed. Walter Scott (1810), vol. III

Relationships

If, Lady, thou art fair, take heed, I pray,
That more than charms exterior round thee play!
Each sun, that looks on Beauty, wastes her power,
E’en as it feeds, and fades, the summer flower;
Then O! collect, against such failing sway,
Charms of the mind, that fear no pale decay;
And, as the holly’s cluster’d berries rise
Bright in the year’s dim wane, and icy skies,
So may those charms, when fled thy youthful prime,
Glow with gay strength amid the snows of time!

✦ ✦ ✦

Source: The Poetical Works of Anna Seward, ed. Walter Scott (Edinburgh: Ballantyne, 1810), vol. III.

MLA

Seward, Anna. “Inscription to the Lady, whether Single or Married, who shall charitably purchase this Trifle.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/seward/300/.

Chicago

Seward, Anna. “Inscription to the Lady, whether Single or Married, who shall charitably purchase this Trifle.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/seward/300/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anna Seward