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Poem
March 21, 1810
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
Poem by Royal Tyler extolling internal qualities like knowledge, gratitude to Providence, meekness, and goodness as true beauty, contrasting them with external features like height, shape, eyes, and hair that even animals possess.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Poetry.
[SELECTED.]
The following lines were written many years ago, by Royal Tyler, Esq. formerly aid-de-camp to General Lincoln, of Massachusetts, and now Chief Justice of Vermont.
TRUE BEAUTY.
SAY, is it height, shape or air
That to the mind true worth impart?
Can brilliant eyes, can flowing hair,
Can grace external, win the heart
If height gives worth, the flowers in vain,
O'er blooming fields their sweets disclose,
The thorn exceeds fair Maia's train,
The lofty yew excels the rose.
If graceful shape can worth create,
The tiger's graceful form must please,
The deadly adder's taper shape,
Declares her worthier than the bees.
If graceful movements claim applause,
The savage beasts our praises claim ;
Whilst blood distains the lion's jaws,
Who moves more graceful o'er the plain?
Or
If brilliant eyes true merit claim,
Or flowing ringlets worth possess,
The serpent's eye, the lion's mane,
Look brilliant, and shew gracefulness.
Since neither shape, nor height, nor air,
Nor grace external, worth impart,
What ornaments must be my care?
How shall I deck my youthful heart?
Far nobler graces I'll pursue,
Which reptiles, flowers and beasts don't share
Fair knowledge, op'ning to the view,
Is truly great and truly fair.
To Providence in all resign'd.
My heart shall glow with gratitude;
With meekness I'll adorn my mind,
And, to be lovely, I'll be good.
Her's is by far the happiest case,
Whose mental beauties are her care,
They give to homeliness a grace,
And e'en the fairest make more fair.
[SELECTED.]
The following lines were written many years ago, by Royal Tyler, Esq. formerly aid-de-camp to General Lincoln, of Massachusetts, and now Chief Justice of Vermont.
TRUE BEAUTY.
SAY, is it height, shape or air
That to the mind true worth impart?
Can brilliant eyes, can flowing hair,
Can grace external, win the heart
If height gives worth, the flowers in vain,
O'er blooming fields their sweets disclose,
The thorn exceeds fair Maia's train,
The lofty yew excels the rose.
If graceful shape can worth create,
The tiger's graceful form must please,
The deadly adder's taper shape,
Declares her worthier than the bees.
If graceful movements claim applause,
The savage beasts our praises claim ;
Whilst blood distains the lion's jaws,
Who moves more graceful o'er the plain?
Or
If brilliant eyes true merit claim,
Or flowing ringlets worth possess,
The serpent's eye, the lion's mane,
Look brilliant, and shew gracefulness.
Since neither shape, nor height, nor air,
Nor grace external, worth impart,
What ornaments must be my care?
How shall I deck my youthful heart?
Far nobler graces I'll pursue,
Which reptiles, flowers and beasts don't share
Fair knowledge, op'ning to the view,
Is truly great and truly fair.
To Providence in all resign'd.
My heart shall glow with gratitude;
With meekness I'll adorn my mind,
And, to be lovely, I'll be good.
Her's is by far the happiest case,
Whose mental beauties are her care,
They give to homeliness a grace,
And e'en the fairest make more fair.
What sub-type of article is it?
Didactic Poem
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
True Beauty
Internal Virtues
Physical Appearance
Moral Instruction
Providence
Gratitude
Meekness
What entities or persons were involved?
Royal Tyler, Esq. Formerly Aid De Camp To General Lincoln, Of Massachusetts, And Now Chief Justice Of Vermont.
Poem Details
Title
True Beauty.
Author
Royal Tyler, Esq. Formerly Aid De Camp To General Lincoln, Of Massachusetts, And Now Chief Justice Of Vermont.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Say, Is It Height, Shape Or Air
That To The Mind True Worth Impart?
Far Nobler Graces I'll Pursue,
Which Reptiles, Flowers And Beasts Don't Share
To Providence In All Resign'd.
My Heart Shall Glow With Gratitude;
Her's Is By Far The Happiest Case,
Whose Mental Beauties Are Her Care,
They Give To Homeliness A Grace,
And E'en The Fairest Make More Fair.