28.10.2007, 09:29
ON THE PORTRAIT OF THE LADY MAHON, 1839.
Fair Lady ! thee the pencil of Vandyke
Might well have painted ; thine the English air,
Graceful yet earnest, that his portraits bear
In that far troubled time when sword and pike
Gleamed round the ancient halls and castles fair
That shrouded Albion's beauty ; tho' when need
They too, the soft withal, could boldly dare,
Defend the leaguered breach, or charging steed
Mount in their trampled parks. Far different scene
The bowers present before thee j yet serene
Tho' now our days, if coming time impart
Our ancient troubles, well I ween thy life
Would not reproach thy lot and what thou art
A warrior's daughter and a statesman's wife.
Fair Lady ! thee the pencil of Vandyke
Might well have painted ; thine the English air,
Graceful yet earnest, that his portraits bear
In that far troubled time when sword and pike
Gleamed round the ancient halls and castles fair
That shrouded Albion's beauty ; tho' when need
They too, the soft withal, could boldly dare,
Defend the leaguered breach, or charging steed
Mount in their trampled parks. Far different scene
The bowers present before thee j yet serene
Tho' now our days, if coming time impart
Our ancient troubles, well I ween thy life
Would not reproach thy lot and what thou art
A warrior's daughter and a statesman's wife.