Shenstone, William (1714-1763)

The Progress of Taste. Or, The Fate of Delicacy. A POEM on the Temper and Studies of the Author; and how great a Misfortune it is, for a Man of small Estate to have much Taste. [from The Works]

1764, 1773

"And souls, however mean or vile, / Like features, brighten by a smile."

Yet midst the groupe be some preferr'd,
Be some abhorr'd--for Damon err'd:
And such there are--of fair address--
As 'twere unsocial to caress.
O learn by reason's equal rule
To shun the praise of knave, or fool!
Then, tho' you deem it better still
To gain some rustic 'squire's good will;
And souls, however mean or vile,
Like features, brighten by a smile;
Yet reason holds it for a crime,
The trivial breast shou'd share thy time:
And virtue, with reluctant eyes,
Beholds this human sacrifice!
(Cf. I, p. 282 in 1764 ed.)

Body::Face

Searching in HDIS (Poetry)

20 entries for Works in ESTC and ECCO (1764, 1765, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1773, 1776, 1776, 1777, 1779, 1791).

Text from The Works, in Verse and Prose, of William Shenstone, Esq. 2 vols., 4th ed. (London: Printed by H. S. Woodfall, for J. Dodsley, 1773). <Link to UVA E-Text Center>.

See also The Works in Verse and Prose, of William Shenstone, Esq; Most of Which Were Never Before Printed. In Two Volumes, With Decorations. (London: Printed for R. and J. Dodsley, 1764). <Link to Vol. 1 in Hathi Trust><Vol. 2><Vol. 3>

06/22/2004