Portrait Of A Lady By Sir Thomas Lawrence

LADY , thy lofty brow is fair,

Beauty's sign and seal are there;

And thy lip is like the rose

Closing round the bee's repose;

And thine eye is like a star,

But blue as the sapphires' are.

Beautiful patrician! thou

Wearest on thy stately brow

All that suits a noble race,

All of high-born maiden's grace,--

Who is there could look on thee

And doubt thy nobility?

Round thee satin robe is flung,

Pearls upon thy neck are hung,

And upon thy arm of snow

Rubies like red sun-gifts glow;

Yet thou wearest pearl and gem

As thou hadst forgotten them.--

'Tis a step, but made to tread

O'er Persian web, or flower's head,--

Soft hand that might only move

In the broider'd silken glove,--

Cheek unused to ruder air

Than what hot-house rose might bear,--

One whom nature only meant

To be queen of the tournament,--

Courtly fete, and lighted hall,--

Grace and ornament of all!