Poem by Samuel Johnson

Stella in Mourning

When lately Stella's form display'd
The beauties of the gay brocade,
The nymphs, who found their power decline,
Proclaim'd her not so fair as fine.
'Fate! snatch away the bright disguise,
And let the goddess trust her eyes.'
Thus blindly pray'd the fretful pair,
And Fate malicious heard the prayer;
But brighten'd by the sable dress,
As virtue rises in distress,
Since Stella still extends her reign,
Ah! how shall envy soothe her pain?
'Th' adoring youth and envious fair,
Henceforth shall form one common prayer
And love and hate alike implore
The skies - 'That Stella mourn no more.' 

1. To Myrtilis - The New Year's Offering
2. On the Death of Stephen Grey, F.R.S.
3. Parody of a Translation from the Medea of Euripides
4. To Miss --
5. From the Medea of Euripides

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