AN ELEGY

by: Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774)

On the Glory of her Sex, Mrs. Mary Blaize

OOD people all, with one accord,

Lament for Madam Blaize,

Who never wanted a good word--

From those who spoke her praise.

 

The needy seldom pass'd her door,

And always found her kind;

She freely lent to all the poor--

Who left a pledge behind.

 

She strove the neighborhood to please

With manners wondrous winning;

And never follow'd wicked ways--

Unless when she was sinning.

 

At church, in silks and satins new,

With hoop of monstrous size,

She never slumber'd in her pew--

But when she shut her eyes.

 

Her love was sought, I do aver,

By twenty beaux and more;

The King himself has follow'd her--

When she has walk'd before.

 

But now, her wealth and finery fled,

Her hangers-on cut short all;

The doctors found, when she was dead--

Her last disorder mortal.

 

Let us lament, in sorrow sore,

For Kent Street well may say,

That had she lived a twelvemonth more--

She had not died today.

• Oliver Goldsmith - A biography and list of links.
• Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) - A biography and list of links.
• Oliver Goldsmith: Bibliography - A bibliography of the works of Oliver Goldsmith; includes a list of biographical and critical resources.
• An Essay on the Theatre; or, a Comparison Between Laughing and Sentimental Comedy - An attack by Oliver Goldsmith on the "sentimental comedy" of his day.
• She Stoops to Conquer - A synopsis of the play by Goldsmith.
• Purchase books by Oliver Goldsmith