Skip to content
Linespedia

Fontinella[1] To Florinda

By Jonathan Swift

Topics: classic

When on my bosom thy bright eyes,         Florinda, dart their heavenly beams,     I feel not the least love surprise,         Yet endless tears flow down in streams;     There's nought so beautiful in thee,         But you may find the same in me.     The lilies of thy skin compare;         In me you see them full as white:     The roses of your cheeks, I dare         Affirm, can't glow to more delight.     Then, since I show as fine a face,         Can you refuse a soft embrace?     Ah! lovely nymph, thou'rt in thy prime!         And so am I, while thou art here;     But soon will come the fatal time,         When all we see shall disappear.     'Tis mine to make a just reflection,         And yours to follow my direction.     Then catch admirers while you may;         Treat not your lovers with disdain;     For time with beauty flies away,         And there is no return again.     To you the sad account I bring,         Life's autumn has no second spring.

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"When on my bosom thy bright eyes,..."

This evocative piece by Jonathan Swift, titled "Fontinella[1] To Florinda", represents a masterful exploration of classic. The lines capture a profound emotional resonance... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

Attribution & Rights

Author:Jonathan Swift

"When on my bosom thy bright eyes,..." by Jonathan Swift

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Related lines

"The glass, by lovers' nonsense blurr'd,         Dims and obscures our sight;     So, when our passions Love has stirr'd,         It darkens Rea"

"BEING AN EXCELLENT NEW SONG UPON THE SURRENDER OF DUNKIRK TO GENERAL HILL     1712     To the tune of "The King shall enjoy his own again.""

"WRITTEN IN APRIL 1709, AND FIRST PRINTED IN "THE TATLER"[1]     Now hardly here and there an hackney-coach     Appearing, show'd the ruddy mor"

"Fluttering spread thy purple pinions,         Gentle Cupid, o'er my heart:     I a slave in thy dominions;         Nature must give way to art."

"Here morning in the ploughman's songs is met     Ere yet one footstep shows in all the sky,     And twilight in the east, a doubt as yet,     S"

"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

Jonathan Swift

About Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was an Irish satirist, essayist, and poet. Best known for "Gulliver's Travels," his poetry includes "A Description of a City Shower" and "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift." His sharp wit and moral indignation made him one of the greatest satirists in English.

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"The glass, by lovers' nonsense blurr'd,         Di..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.