Classic Poem

Easy to learn the flatt'rer's artful tale,
Learn the soft phrase that soothes the simple ear;
Of all its beauties strip the flow'ry vale,
In honour of the maid we hold most dear:
Suns might with ease be liken'd to your eyes,
And either breast a marble pillar rise.
But would my M IRA listen to the lay,
Read, blushless read, what others might admire;
Own the weak folly, wash its faults away,
Warm'd with the wildness of a lover's fire;
No, rather would you scorn the varnish'd tale,
“Equal to most, you want not to excel.”