To ----

Composed 1824.--Published 1827

[Written at Rydal Mount. On Mrs. Wordsworth.--I.F.]

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."--ED.

Let other bards of angels sing, Bright suns without a spot; But thou art no such perfect thing: Rejoice that thou art not!

Heed not tho' none should call thee fair; So, Mary, let it be If nought in loveliness compare With what thou art to me.

True beauty dwells in deep retreats, Whose veil is unremoved Till heart with heart in concord beats, And the lover is beloved.