Poetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett · Chapter 16To Lyce,
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1 Ye Nymphs whom starry rays invest, By flattering poets given, Who shine, by lavish lovers dress'd, In all the pomp of Heaven.
2 Engross not all the beams on high, Which gild a lover's lays, But, as your sister of the sky, Let Lycè share the praise.
3 Her silver locks display the moon, Her brows a cloudy show, Striped rainbows round her eyes are seen, And showers from either flow.
4 Her teeth the night with darkness dyes; She's starr'd with pimples o'er; Her tongue like nimble lightning plies, And can with thunder roar,
5 But some Zelinda, while I sing, Denies my Lycè shines; And all the pens of Cupid's wing Attack my gentle lines.
6 Yet, spite of fair Zelinda's eye, And all her bards express, My Lycè makes as good a sky, And I but flatter less.
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