Art Above Nature: to Julia

1When I behold a forest spread

2With silken trees upon thy head;

3And when I see that other dress

4Of flowers set in comeliness;

5When I behold another grace

6In the ascent of curious lace,

7Which, like a pinnacle, doth shew

8The top, and the top-gallant too;

9Then, when I see thy tresses bound

10Into an oval, square, or round,

11And knit in knots far more than I.

12Can tell by tongue, or True-love tie;

13Next, when those lawny films I see

14Play with a wild civility;

15And all those airy silks to flow,

16Alluring me, and tempting so —

17I must confess, mine eye and heart

18Dotes less on nature than on art.