Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/548

 WILLIAM OLDYS

Both alike are mine and thine Hastening quick to their decline: Thine 's a summer, mine 's no more, Though repeated to threescore. Threescore summers, when they're gone, Will appear as short as one !

JOHN GAY To a Lady

WHEN I some antique Jar behold, Or white, or blue, or spcck'd with gold, Vessels so pure, and so refin'd Appear the types of woman-kind: Are they not valu'd for their beauty, Too fair, too fine for household duty? With flowers and gold and azure dy'd, Of ev'ry house the grace and pride ? How white, how polish'd is their skin, And valu'd most when only seen ' She who before was highest priz'd Is for a crack or flaw despis'd, I grant they're frail, yet they're so rare, The treasure cannot cost too dear' But Man is made of coarser stuff, And serves convenience well enough; He 's a strong earthen vessel made, For drudging, labour, toil and trade; And when wives lose their other self, With ease they bear the loss of Delf.

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