Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.
By To Fanni in a Ball DressJohn Everett (18011826)
T
And wreathed it with rosebuds and pearls;
But dearer, neglected thy sweet tresses are,
Soft falling in natural curls.
When crown’d with the flower and the gem,
But thy lover’s smile should be dearer praise
Than the incense thou prizest from them.
With triumph enjoy’d too well,
Yet less dear than when soft as the moonbeam’s light,
Or the tinge in a hyacinth bell.
As to flattery’s voice thou respondest:
But what is the praise of the cold and unknown,
To the tender blame of the fondest?