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The Works of the Late Aaron Hill

... In Four Volumes. Consisting of Letters on Various Subjects, And of Original Poems, Moral and Facetious. With An Essay on the Art of Acting

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To my dear, and ever honoured Mother;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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268

To my dear, and ever honoured Mother;

in Answer to some Verses, which she sent me, about Spirits, from Malmesbury Abbey.

Madam, your lovely muse's late employ
Was read, with wonder, and a pride-mix'd joy:
Fortune, in vain, her batt'ring engines bends,
'Gainst souls, which such a wit-rais'd strength defends!
Secure, within, you outward storms defy,
And look, serenely, on a ruffled sky:
So Philomel, by night, disdaining rest,
Sings, o'er the pointed thorn, which galls her breast.
The busy ghosts, your fancy seems to hear,
Have no design to fright your list'ning ear:
Nor springs their restlessness, from Rome's old pride,
Nor vain regret, that, so long since, they dy'd:
A purer race these bustling spirits are,
And a more noble aim inspires their care!

269

Some beauteous band of Nuns they seem to be:
Stript to the naked soul, and so set free.
Thro' death's dark shade your shining form they spy,
And trace your virtues, with a ravish'd eye!
Hence, ev'ry night, allur'd, by fresh desire,
They press to view the charms, they so admire.