The cairn

Chapter 178: To Julia.

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About This Book

A compact miscellany of short essays, anecdotes, prayers, poems, and biographical sketches that collects reflections on grief, maternal love, benevolence, virtue, taste, and historical episodes. The pieces alternate personal memories, moral aphorisms, humorous and touching anecdotes, and brief portraits of public figures, often framed as letters, epitaphs, or short narratives. Recurring themes include the effects of sorrow and joy, domestic affection, charity, the vicissitudes of fortune, and the consolations of faith and art. The tone moves between intimate recollection and light moralizing, presenting varied, self-contained vignettes meant to instruct, console, and amuse.

To Julia.

Sweet, be not proud of those fair eyes,

Which star-like sparkle in their skies;

Be ye not proud of that rich hair,

Which wantons in the love-sick air,

Nor be you proud because you see

All hearts your captives, yours yet free.

When as that jewel which you wear

Sunk from the tip of your soft ear,

Will last to be a precious stone,

When all your world of beauty’s gone.