So for thy spirit did devise
Its Maker seemly garniture,
Of its own essence parcel pure.--
From grave simplicities a dress,
And reticent demureness,
And love encinctured with reserve;
Which the woven vesture would subserve.
For outward robes in their ostents
Should show the soul's habiliments.
Therefore I say,--Thou'rt fair even so,
But better Fair I use to know.
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Let thy attyre bee comely, but not costly.
Let thy attyre bee comely, but not costly.
Attired to please herself: no gems of any kind
She wore, nor aught of borrowed gloss in Nature's stead;
read more
Attired to please herself: no gems of any kind
She wore, nor aught of borrowed gloss in Nature's stead;
And, then her long, loose hair flung round her head
Fell carelessly behind.
Now old Tredgortha's dead and gone,
We ne'er shall see him more;
He used to wear an read more
Now old Tredgortha's dead and gone,
We ne'er shall see him more;
He used to wear an old grey coat,
All buttoned down before.
John Lee is dead, that good old man,--
We ne'er shall see him more:
He used to read more
John Lee is dead, that good old man,--
We ne'er shall see him more:
He used to wear an old drab coat
All buttoned down before.
Old Abram Brown is dead and gone,--
You'll never see him more;
He used to wear a read more
Old Abram Brown is dead and gone,--
You'll never see him more;
He used to wear a long brown coat
That buttoned down before.
It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.
It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.
When this old cap was new
'Tis since two hundred years.
When this old cap was new
'Tis since two hundred years.
After all there is something about a wedding-gown prettier than
in any other gown in the world.
After all there is something about a wedding-gown prettier than
in any other gown in the world.
Each Bond-street buck conceits, unhappy elf;
He shows his clothes! alas! he shows himself.
O that they read more
Each Bond-street buck conceits, unhappy elf;
He shows his clothes! alas! he shows himself.
O that they knew, these overdrest self-lovers,
What hides the body oft the mind discovers.
