Lines To Delia, On Her Wearing A Muslin Veil.

Say, Delia, why, in muslin shade, Ah! say, dost thou conceal those eyes? Such little stars were never made, I’m sure, to shine thro’ misty skies. Say, are they wrapt in so much shade, That they may more successful rise, Starting from such soft ambuscade, To catch and kill us by surprise? Or, of their various pow’rs afraid, Is it in mercy to our sighs, Lest love, o’er many a heart betray’d, Should sob “a faithful vot’ry dies”? Then, oh! remove the envious shade; Let others wear, who want, disguise: We all had sooner die, sweet maid, To see, than live without, those eyes.