A Song (Cowper)

The sparkling eye, the mantling cheek, The polish'd front, the snowy neck, How seldom we behold in one! Glossy locks, and brow serene, Venus' smiles, Diana's mien, All meet in you, and you alone.

Beauty, like other pow'rs, maintains Her empire, and by union reigns; Each single feature faintly warms, But where at once we view display'd Unblemish'd grace, the perfect maid Our eyes, our ears, our heart alarms.

So when on earth the God of day Obliquely sheds his temper'd ray, Through convex orbs the beams transmit, The beams that gently warm'd before, Collected, gently warm no more, But glow with more prevailing heat.