Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VERSES TO A YOUNG FRIEND, by BERNARD BARTON Poet's Biography First Line: If, long ere this, no lay of mine Last Line: And on a fool 'tis wasted! Alternate Author Name(s): Quaker Poet Subject(s): Youth; Praise | ||||||||
IF, long ere this, no lay of mine Has been to thee devoted; 'Tis not because such worth as thine Has idly pass'd unnoted. To charms more transient, tribute due I oft have cheaply chaunted; And auburn locks, or eyes of blue, Have gain'd what folly wanted! To beauty's song and beauty's smile My muse has homage render'd, And unto many a trifling wile Some trifling meed has tender'd. In praising such, my short-liv'd song Did all that I desir'd it: It liv'd, perchance, about as long As that which first inspir'd it. Not such, my friend, the song for thee: Did I that lyre inherit, Which Cowper woke, its strings should be Responsive to thy merit. Still, such a wreath as I can twine, Thy virtues well have won thee; Could I an apter one assign, I'd gladly place it on thee. Thou art not one whose path has been Strew'd but with summer roses; With sky above of blue serene, Which never storm discloses. Who tread such paths, with graceful glee, May cull what clusters round them: And, fading, may to memory be Just like the flowers that crown'd them. But, in the bloom of youth to tread As through a desert dreary; With much to harass heart and head, And many a care to weary; With much to jar each mood of joy, With much to tease and try thee, With many a duty to employ Each hour that passes by thee; So circumstanc'd, to cultivate Each flower that leisure graces; And thus to find, in spite of fate, Sweet spots in desert places: To do all this, yet still to be, In social life, a woman, From half thy sex's follies free, Is merit far from common. Nor think this flattery! I've been taught One maxim worth receiving, Which every passing day has brought Fresh motive for believing: That flattery no excuse can find! 'Tis loath'd as soon as tasted, When offer'd to a well taught mind; And on a fool 'tis wasted! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRAISE PREMATURE by SAMUEL BISHOP ON GIFTS FOR GRACE by BERNADETTE MAYER AFTERTHOUGHTS OF DONNA ELVIRA by CAROLYN KIZER OUR DEATHLESS DEAD by EDWIN MARKHAM SIR JOHN CHIVERTON: DEDICATORY STANZAS. by WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 12. A RENUNCIATION by THOMAS CAMPION TO MY HONORED FRIEND SIR ROBERT HOWARD by JOHN DRYDEN PRAISE OF LITTLE WOMEN by JUAN RUIZ BRUCE AND THE SPIDER by BERNARD BARTON |
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