[Somewhat Too Solicitious about Her Manner of Expression] <br /> <br />Survey, my fair! that lucid stream, <br />Adown the smiling valley stray; <br />Would Art attempt, or Fancy dream, <br />To regulate its winding way? <br /> <br />So pleas'd I view thy shining hair <br />In loose dishevell'd ringlets flow: <br />Not all thy art, not all thy care, <br />Can there one single grace bestow. <br /> <br />Survey again that verdant hill, <br />With native plants enamell'd o'er; <br />Say, can the painter's utmost skill <br />Instruct one flower to please us more? <br /> <br />As vain it were, with artful dye <br />To change the bloom thy cheeks disclose; <br />And oh may Laura, ere she try, <br />With fresh vermilion paint the rose. <br /> <br />Hark how the wood-lark's tuneful throat <br />Can every study'd grace excel; <br />Let Art constrain the rambling note, <br />And will she, Laura, please so well? <br /> <br />Oh ever keep thy native ease, <br />By no pedantic law confin'd! <br />For Laura's voice is form'd to please, <br />So Laura's words be not unkind.<br /><br />William Shenstone<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-a-young-lady/
