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Poem
January 11, 1788
The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem titled 'The Fair Thief' describes a woman's beauty as stolen from nature (snow, morn, flowers), dawn, and mythological figures (Graces, Aurora, Venus, Juno, Pallas, Apollo, Sirens, Muses), culminating in her stealing the speaker's heart, with a plea to Cupid for embrace as punishment.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
THE FAIR THIEF.
Before the urchin well could go,
She stole the whiteness of the snow;
And more,—that whiteness to adorn,
She stole the blushes of the morn;
Stole all the sweets that Ether sheds
On primrose buds or violet beds.
Still, to reveal her artful wiles,
She stole the graces' silken smiles;
She stole Aurora's balmy breath,
And pilfer'd orient pearl for teeth;
The cherry, dipt in morning dew,
Gives moisture to her lips and hue.
These were her infant spoils, and more
To which, in time, she added more,
At twelve she stole from Cyprus' Queen
Her air and love-commanding mien;
Stole Juno's dignity, and stole
From Pallas' eyes to charm the soul.
Apollo's wit was next her prey,
Her next the beam that lights the day.
She sung; amazed the Sirens heard,
And to assert their voice appeared.
She played; the Muses from the hill
Wonder'd who thus had stole their skill.
Great Jove approved her charms and art;
And t'other day she stole my heart.
If lovers, Cupid, are thy care,
Exert thy vengeance on this fair;
To trial bring her stolen charms,
And let her prison be my arms.
THE FAIR THIEF.
Before the urchin well could go,
She stole the whiteness of the snow;
And more,—that whiteness to adorn,
She stole the blushes of the morn;
Stole all the sweets that Ether sheds
On primrose buds or violet beds.
Still, to reveal her artful wiles,
She stole the graces' silken smiles;
She stole Aurora's balmy breath,
And pilfer'd orient pearl for teeth;
The cherry, dipt in morning dew,
Gives moisture to her lips and hue.
These were her infant spoils, and more
To which, in time, she added more,
At twelve she stole from Cyprus' Queen
Her air and love-commanding mien;
Stole Juno's dignity, and stole
From Pallas' eyes to charm the soul.
Apollo's wit was next her prey,
Her next the beam that lights the day.
She sung; amazed the Sirens heard,
And to assert their voice appeared.
She played; the Muses from the hill
Wonder'd who thus had stole their skill.
Great Jove approved her charms and art;
And t'other day she stole my heart.
If lovers, Cupid, are thy care,
Exert thy vengeance on this fair;
To trial bring her stolen charms,
And let her prison be my arms.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Fair Thief
Female Beauty
Stolen Charms
Mythological Attributes
Cupid Vengeance
Love Tribute
Poem Details
Title
The Fair Thief
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Great Jove Approved Her Charms And Art;
And T'other Day She Stole My Heart.
If Lovers, Cupid, Are Thy Care,
Exert Thy Vengeance On This Fair;
To Trial Bring Her Stolen Charms,
And Let Her Prison Be My Arms.