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Literary
May 2, 1799
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A didactic poem praising the virtue of modesty in women, likening it to a shrinking plant that avoids contamination, a diamond that gains luster through refinement, and a fallen rose that retains delicate charm, emphasizing its role in enhancing and preserving beauty.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
SACRED TO THE MUSES.
MODESTY.
There is, O naturalists, a
Plant, that cautious shrinks away,
And shuns the hand's rude touch;
Fearing the sensual soft's following stain
That from contraction, might remain—
Sweet Modesty is such.
Contamination, thus her dread,
The blushing maiden lifts her head,
And timorous smiles to-day;
Tenacious of her spotless fame,
Beneath the oppressive eye of shame,
She droops with sad dismay.
The diamond, tho' of ample worth,
When first attracted from the earth,
Can scarce attract the sight;
But when it leaves the artist's hands,
What admiration it commands,
Array'd in all its light.
As to the diamond is its glow,
Does Modesty in women show,
And stamps alike their worth:
Beauty itself must cease to be,
Without the charm of Modesty,
'Tis that which gives it birth.
Tho' drooping lies the fallen rose,
A soft mild tint it does disclose,
And delicately charms:
Thus ever-blooming Modesty,
The loss of Beauty doth supply,
And with attraction arms.
O cherish thee with greatest care,
Your greatest ornament, ye fair,
And prize it whilst you've breath;
By this preserv'd, thro' age's space,
Shall Beauty smile in every face,
And yield alone to Death.
MODESTY.
There is, O naturalists, a
Plant, that cautious shrinks away,
And shuns the hand's rude touch;
Fearing the sensual soft's following stain
That from contraction, might remain—
Sweet Modesty is such.
Contamination, thus her dread,
The blushing maiden lifts her head,
And timorous smiles to-day;
Tenacious of her spotless fame,
Beneath the oppressive eye of shame,
She droops with sad dismay.
The diamond, tho' of ample worth,
When first attracted from the earth,
Can scarce attract the sight;
But when it leaves the artist's hands,
What admiration it commands,
Array'd in all its light.
As to the diamond is its glow,
Does Modesty in women show,
And stamps alike their worth:
Beauty itself must cease to be,
Without the charm of Modesty,
'Tis that which gives it birth.
Tho' drooping lies the fallen rose,
A soft mild tint it does disclose,
And delicately charms:
Thus ever-blooming Modesty,
The loss of Beauty doth supply,
And with attraction arms.
O cherish thee with greatest care,
Your greatest ornament, ye fair,
And prize it whilst you've breath;
By this preserv'd, thro' age's space,
Shall Beauty smile in every face,
And yield alone to Death.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Modesty
Beauty
Virtue
Women
Moral
Nature Metaphors
Literary Details
Title
Sacred To The Muses. Modesty.
Key Lines
Sweet Modesty Is Such.
Beauty Itself Must Cease To Be, Without The Charm Of Modesty, 'Tis That Which Gives It Birth.
O Cherish Thee With Greatest Care, Your Greatest Ornament, Ye Fair, And Prize It Whilst You've Breath;