[Page 289]

SONNET.

TO A LADY OF INDISCREET VIRTUE.

IN IMITATION OF SPENSER.

BY T— P—.
1 WHILE you, fair ANNA, innocently gay,
2 And free and open, all reserve disdain;
3 Where-ever Fancy leads securely stray,
4 And conscious of no ill can fear no stain;
5 Let calm Discretion guide with steady rein,
6 Let early Caution twitch your gentle ear;
7 She'll tell you Censure lays her wily train,
8 To blast those beauties which too bright appear.
[Page 290]
9 Ah me! I see the monster lurking near,
10 I know her haggard eye, and poisonous tongue,
11 She scans your actions with malicious leer,
12 Eager to wrest and represent them wrong;
13 Yet shall your conduct, circumspect and clear,
14 Nor baleful touch, nor fangs envenom'd fear.

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About this text

Title (in Source Edition): SONNET. TO A LADY OF INDISCREET VIRTUE.
Author: Thomas Percy
Themes: women; female character; virtue; vice
Genres: sonnet
References: DMI 32613

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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. 289-290. 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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