| John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913. | | | | Songs, Odes, and Lyrical Pieces | | A Song (“Fair, sweet and young, receive a prize”) |
| | I FAIR, 1 sweet and young, receive a prize | |
| Reserv’d for your Victorious Eyes: | |
| From Crowds, whom at your Feet you see, | |
| O pity, and distinguish me; | |
| As I from thousand Beauties more | 5 |
| Distinguish you, and only you adore. | |
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II Your Face for Conquest was design’d, | |
| Your ev’ry Motion charms my Mind; | |
| Angels, when you your Silence break, | |
| Forget their Hymns to hear you speak; | 10 |
| But when at once they hear and view, | |
| Are loath to mount, and long to stay with you. | |
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III No Graces can your Form improve, | |
| But all are lost, unless you love; | |
| While that sweet Passion you disdain, | 15 |
| Your Veil and Beauty are in vain. | |
| In pity then prevent my Fate, | |
| For after dying all Reprieves too late. | |
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