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Sketches In The Exhibition, 1805.

By William Lisle Bowles

Topics: classic

What various objects strike with various force,     Achilles, Hebe, and Sir Watkin's horse!     Here summer scenes, there Pentland's stormy ridge,     Lords, ladies, Noah's ark, and Cranford bridge!     Some that display the elegant design,     The lucid colours, and the flowing line;     Some that might make, alas! Walsh Porter[1] stare,     And wonder how the devil they got there!     Lady M----ve.     How clear a strife of light and shade is spread!     The face how touched with nature's loveliest red!     The eye, how eloquent, and yet how meek!     The glow subdued, yet mantling on thy cheek!     M----ve! I mark alone thy beauteous face,     But all is nature, dignity, and grace!     Hon. Miss Mercer.--Hopner.     Oh! hide those tempting eyes, that faultless form,     Those looks with feeling and with nature warm;     The neck, the softly-swelling bosom hide,     Nor, wanton gales, blow the light vest aside;     For who, when beauties more than life excite     Silent applause, can gaze without delight!     But innocence, enchanting maid, is thine;     Thine eyes in liquid light unconscious shine;     And may thy breast no other feelings prove,     Than those of sympathy and mutual love!

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Author:William Lisle Bowles

"What various objects strike with various force,..." by William Lisle Bowles

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"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

William Lisle Bowles

About William Lisle Bowles

William Lisle Bowles is a distinguished poet whose works have shaped the landscape of English literature. Their poetry explores the depths of human emotion, nature, love, and philosophical thought through powerful and evocative verse. Readers continue to find solace, inspiration, and beauty in their timeless words.

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