The Mother lives, and has enough to buy Her picture then the greedy Dame displays; Touch'd by no shame, she now demands its praise; In her tall mirror then she shows her face, Still coldly fair with unaffecting grace; These she compares, "But wants the air, the spirit, and the eyes; "This, as a likeness, is correct and true, "But there alone the living grace we view." This said, th' applauding voice the Dame requir'd, And, gazing, slowly from the glass retir'd. "It has the form," she cries, TALE IX. ARABELLA. Thrice blessed they that master so their blood- Midsummer Night's Dream, Act I. Scene 1. I sometimes do excuse the thing I hate, Measure for Measure, Act II. Scene 4. Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu! Measure for Measure, Act II. Scene 4. TALE IX. ARABELLA. Or a fair town where Doctor Rack was guide, She like a bright and polish'd brilliant shone; Pleas'd with her learning while discourse could please, In all his strength, contends the noble Horse, With one who just precedes him on the course; But when the rival flies too far before, His spirit fails, and he attempts no more. This reasoning Maid, above her sex's dread, Had dar'd to read, and dar'd to say she read; Not the last novel, not the new-born play; Not the mere trash and scandal of the day; But (though her young companions felt the shock) She studied Berkley, Bacon, Hobbes, and Locke: Her mind within the maze of History dwelt, And of the Moral Muse the beauty felt; The merits of the Roman page she knew, And could converse with Moore and Montague: Thus she became the wonder of the town, From that she reap'd, to that she gave renown, And strangers coming, all were taught t' admire The learned Lady, and the lofty Spire. Thus Fame in public fix'd the Maid, where all Might throw their darts, and see the idol fall; A hundred arrows came with vengeance keen, From tongues envenom'd, and from arms unseen; A thousand eyes were fix'd upon the place, That, if she fell, she might not fly disgrace: But Malice vainly throws the poison'd dart, Unless our frailty shows the peccant part; |