[Page 247]

THE NATURAL BEAUTY.

TO STELLA.

BY THE SAME.
1 WHETHER STELLA's eyes are found
2 Fix'd on earth, or glancing round,
3 If her face with pleasure glow,
4 If she sigh at others woe,
5 If her easy air express
6 Conscious worth, or soft distress,
7 STELLA's eyes, and air, and face,
8 Charm with undiminish'd grace.
9 If on her we see display'd
10 Pendant gems, and rich brocade;
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11 If her chintz, with less expence,
12 Flows in easy negligence;
13 Still she lights the conscious flame,
14 Still her charms appear the same;
15 If she strikes the vocal strings,
16 If she's silent, speaks, or sings,
17 If she sit, or if she move,
18 Still we love, and still approve.
19 Vain the casual, transient glance,
20 Which alone can please by chance;
21 Beauty, which depends on art,
22 Changing with the changing heart,
23 Which demands the toilet's aid,
24 Pendant gems, and rich brocade;
25 I those charms alone can prize,
26 Which from constant Nature rise,
27 Which nor circumstance nor dress
28 E'er can make or more or less.

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About this text

Title (in Source Edition): THE NATURAL BEAUTY. TO STELLA.
Author: Samuel Johnson
Themes: beauty
Genres: ode
References: DMI 32596

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Source edition

Pearch, G. A collection of poems in four volumes. By several hands. Vol. III. [The second edition]. London: printed for G. Pearch, 1770, pp. 247-248. 4v. ; 8⁰. (ESTC T116245; DMI 1136; OTA K093079.003) (Page images digitized from a copy in the Bodleian Library [(OC) 280 o.790].)

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