Classic Poem

O THINK , while Beauty's bloom adorns thy face,
And those blue eyes still dart contagious fire,
While that fair bosom pants with soft desire,
And moves thy gliding form with easy grace;
The time must come, when thou, with falt'ring pace
And faded cheek, no more shalt bliss inspire,
When that sweet voice, that now delights, shall tire,
And envious age shall ev'ry charm deface.
Yet, Anna, not to cloud thy sparkling eyes
With ill tim'd seriousness, to sober Truth
Thy soul yet fresh in life's gay morn I bend:
I would but teach thee mental charms to prize;
That, past the smiling hours of Joy and Youth,
When Lovers vanish, thou may'st own a Friend.