by Anne Grant (1755 - 1838)
The looking glass
Language: English
For you, ye fair, the olive spreads For you the myrtles blossom, The low, retiring violet sheds Its fragrance in your bosom. While in your native sphere you move, And seek no higher station, 'Tis your's to lead in bands of love The lords that rule creation. At first with graces, airs, and smiles, Each artless heart enchanting, She soon forgets these common wiles, For greater conquests panting. On sportive wit and native charms No longer has reliance, But wrests from man his boasted arms, Philosophy and science. While, dumb with wonder and affright, She vainly thinks him dying! -- The lover, like a recreant knight, His safety seeks by flying! Though lofty flights a while may please, When novel and uncommon, 'Tis modest worth and graceful ease That charm in lovely woman.
Authorship:
- by Anne Grant (1755 - 1838) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809), "The looking glass", JHW XXXII/3 no. 204, Hob. XXXIa no. 158. [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2010-01-10
Line count: 24
Word count: 132