The wholesome moral, or the sage resolve.
Tinged with the faded hue of shadowing years,
Some mourned events, still recent to our grief,
May rise in sad succession, still to claim
The tender tribute of affection's sigh!
Sacred to ties dissolved, yet ever dear,
That bound us once to those we now deplore;
While all that ever charmed or fixed the heart,
Mingling its lighter colours with the gloom,
In fancy's lustre gilds lost social scenes;
And in imagination makes us blest
With all that time had ravaged in its course.
If thus reflection, stealing o'er the mind,
(Like night's envelope o'er a dormant world)
Absorbs its faculties within the bounds,
That time can limit to its active scope-
Yon spangled concave, and its radiant queen,
The glorious work of Him they shine to praise;
May well awaken musings more sublime,
To soar beyond e'en their celestial sphere.
For can indifference raise a careless eye
Toward the Firmament's now tempered glow;
Nor from its lustre catch one spark devout,
To kindle adoration's hallowed flame,
And guide its grateful homage to that power;
Whose word created, and whose will sustains,
The countless planets in their destined course.
Who shall presume to question his decrees?
Or brave Omnipotence with impious doubt,
If, these bright orbs, by his permission shine :
Or earth was fertilized at his command.
What vengeance must be stored for the false hand
That writes on infidelity's black scroll?
The Atheist's motto "All was wrought by chance."
Sure 'tis at this calm hour of reason's reign,
The soul attuned to piety and love,
Shrinks with redoubled horror from a crime
That thus insults a gracious Maker's name,
And violates the fealty, justly due
To Him, whose majesty pervades the whole.
A certainty, undreaded by the good,
Who own in every place his welcome sway:
Yet oft retire to commune with themselves,
And o'er lamented frailties, there to breathe,
Unseen of men, the heart-felt, humble prayer,
(Contrition's incense) to offended heaven.
Oh! may the Being whom such prayers address,
Accept the offering, and diffuse the dew
Of answering blessings on the suppliant's head :
Till, through the night of life, protected safe,
Mercy's benignant light shall guide his path
To the resplendent realms of " perfect day."
MILD was the breeze, and bright the morn,
That tempted Anna from repose,
To seek, where couched beneath the thorn,
The lowly violet fragrant blows.
Simplicity, with artless charm,
And innocence, with winning grace, Dwelt in her bosom free from harm, And flushed the beauties of her face.
Where'er the peeping buds betrayed
The purple treasure hid below;
hand the busy maid,
Would her more earnest search bestow.
Unconscious she, that in the brake,
That sheltered such a lovely flower; Some reptile might its refuge take,
Of hideous form, and noxious power.
While in her pleasing task employed,
A wily adder reared its head;
By Anna's gentle touch annoyed,
And terrified, the maiden fled.
A passing stranger, with a smile,
Said "fear not, I'll thy guardian be;
"On this green bank repose awhile,
"And listen while I counsel thee.
"Look on the furrows of this brow,
"These silver hairs now thinly shade: ""Tis all that lengthened years bestow, "While wisdom's beauty cannot fade.
"Blush not its precepts to be told,
"Nor slight the virtues of the heart; "Though nature in her fairest mould, "Has polished thee with nicest art.
"When pleasure tempts with semblance fair, "Thy inexperienced foot to stray;
"Let modest caution first prepare,
"And honor's lamp illume thy way.
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