William Maxwell (1784-1857). To a Fair Lady. Samuel Kettell, ed. 1829. Specimens of American Poetry

Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.

To a Fair Lady

By William Maxwell (1784–1857)


FAIREST, mourn not for thy charms,
Circled by no lover’s arms;
While inferior belles, you see,
Pick up husbands merrily.
Sparrows when they choose to pair,	5
Meet their matches anywhere;
But the Phœnix, sadly great,
Cannot find an equal mate.
Earth, though dark, enjoys the honor
Of a moon to wait upon her;	10
Venus, though divinely bright,
Cannot boast a satellite.