Earl of Dorset Charles Sackville

Here you will find the Poem Tell Me, Dorinda, Why So Gay of poet Earl of Dorset Charles Sackville

Tell Me, Dorinda, Why So Gay

Tell me, Dorinda, why so gay, 
 Why such embroid'ry, fringe, and lace? 
 Can any dresses find a way 
 To stop th'approaches of decay 
 And mend thy ruin'd face? 

 Wilt thou still sparkle in the box, 
 And ogle in the ring? 
 Canst thou forget thy age and pox? 
 Can all that shines on shells and rocks 
 Make thee a fine young thing?
 
 So have I seen in larder dark 
 Of veal a lucid loin, 
 Replete with many a heatless spark, 
 As wise philosophers remark, 
 At once both stink and shine.