Classic Poem

I saw two ladies once — illustrious — rare —
One a sad sun, her beauties at mid-day
In clouds concealed — the other bright and gay
Gladdened Aurora-like. Earth Sea and Air:
One hid her light, lest men should call her fair,
And of her praises no reflected ray
Suffered to cross her own celestial way —
To charm and to be charmed, the others care:
Yet this her loveliness veiled not so well
But forth it broke — nor could the other shew
All her's — which wearied mirrors did not tell:
Nor of this one could I be silent, though
Bidden in ire — Nor that one's triumph swell
Since my tired verse o'ertasked refused to flow!