September 1800

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!