TO A YOUNG LADY,
ON THE AUTHOR’S READING TO HER STERNE’S
BEAUTIFUL STORY OF MARIA.
As Sterne’s pathetic tale you hear,
Why rudely check the rising sigh?
Why seek to hide the pitying tear,
Which adds new lustre to the eye?
Tears that lament another’s woe,
Unveil the goodness of the heart:
Uncheck’d, Maria, these should flow—
They please beyond the pow’r of art.
Does not yon crimson-tinted rose,
Whose opening blush delights the view,
More splendid colouring disclose,
When brightly gem’d with morning dew?
So shall Maria’s beauteous face,
Drest in more pleasing charms appear;
When aided by the magic grace
Of pity’s sympathizing tear.
