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Poem
February 6, 1837
Lynchburg Virginian
Lynchburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem by John Quincy Adams addressed to Ellen, where the speaker, perplexed like Paris choosing among goddesses, selects Affection over Vanity and Wit to express his heartfelt wishes.
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Full Text
POETICAL.
POEM—BY JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
From the N. Y. Mirror.
To fill thy page, beloved maid,
Before the fancy's visions flit;
Three damsels offer me their aid—
Affection, Vanity and Wit.
Perplex'd, like Paris, lo! I stand,
Which to prefer, and which refuse:
Now dread the task from mortal hand
Between three goddesses to choose.
First Wit, a damsel pert and sly
On both her rivals casts a leer,
And reckoning with coquettish eye
Proffers her pen for gibe or jeer.
Seduced by her enchanting smile,
I took her pen in sportive play
The gypsy laughs at me the while,
And, muttering, snatches it away
Next Vanity assails my ear,
With simpering whisper soft and slow
She seems to say, so sweet so clear,
"Take but my pen, the verse will flow."
That all who read shall straight exclaim
"How great a bard is lost to fame,
And buried beneath a vulgar name—
At least an Ovid or a Pope!"
Deceivers—Vanity and Wit—
No more your painted faces show
Fame, Folly, Falsehood, you may fit—
The verse on this page must be true
If words, dear Ellen, could express
The wishes in this heart that glow
How they would burn your heart to bless,
Affection's pen alone can show.
POEM—BY JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
From the N. Y. Mirror.
To fill thy page, beloved maid,
Before the fancy's visions flit;
Three damsels offer me their aid—
Affection, Vanity and Wit.
Perplex'd, like Paris, lo! I stand,
Which to prefer, and which refuse:
Now dread the task from mortal hand
Between three goddesses to choose.
First Wit, a damsel pert and sly
On both her rivals casts a leer,
And reckoning with coquettish eye
Proffers her pen for gibe or jeer.
Seduced by her enchanting smile,
I took her pen in sportive play
The gypsy laughs at me the while,
And, muttering, snatches it away
Next Vanity assails my ear,
With simpering whisper soft and slow
She seems to say, so sweet so clear,
"Take but my pen, the verse will flow."
That all who read shall straight exclaim
"How great a bard is lost to fame,
And buried beneath a vulgar name—
At least an Ovid or a Pope!"
Deceivers—Vanity and Wit—
No more your painted faces show
Fame, Folly, Falsehood, you may fit—
The verse on this page must be true
If words, dear Ellen, could express
The wishes in this heart that glow
How they would burn your heart to bless,
Affection's pen alone can show.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
John Quincy Adams
Ellen
Affection
Vanity
Wit
Love Verse
Goddesses Choice
What entities or persons were involved?
John Quincy Adams
Poem Details
Author
John Quincy Adams
Subject
To Ellen
Key Lines
Perplex'd, Like Paris, Lo! I Stand, Which To Prefer, And Which Refuse: Now Dread The Task From Mortal Hand Between Three Goddesses To Choose.
Deceivers—Vanity And Wit— No More Your Painted Faces Show Fame, Folly, Falsehood, You May Fit— The Verse On This Page Must Be True
If Words, Dear Ellen, Could Express The Wishes In This Heart That Glow How They Would Burn Your Heart To Bless, Affection's Pen Alone Can Show.