The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
In our new world not birth and proud pretence,
Your sex from skill in household cares dispense.
Yet those where fortune smiles, whom fancy warms,
May paint historic or ideal forms;
Teach the fair flow'r on lucid lawn to spring,
The lute to languish or the tongue to sing.
With letters, arts, botanic, chemic skill,
Some shall their leisure hours delighted fill;
While some, for studies more sublime design'd,
Expatiate freely o'er the world of mind:
Another class on boldest wing shall soar,
The wand'ring stars and ways of heav'n explore;
Still skill'd not less in captivating arts,
To move our passions and to mend our hearts.
While tiptoe spirits buoy each graceful limb,
See down the dance the lovely fair-one swim;
Her own neat needle-work improves her bloom,
Cloth'd in the labours of Columbia's loom:
Her lover sees express'd upon her face,
Angelic goodness, loveliness and grace;
And hopes, in bridal bow'rs, to meet those charms,
Bliss to his soul and rapture in her arms!
Then, oh, ye fair! refin'd each grosser sense,
'Gainst delicacy shun the least offence.
What though not call'd to mix in cares of state,
To brave the storm of battle or debate;
Yet in our revolution greatly brave,
What high examples to our sex ye gave?
And still 'tis yours with secret, soft controul,
To hold a gentler empire o'er the soul;
In polish'd states to make, with sweet behest,
The hero happy and the patriot blest;
To charm their anxious hours with cheering smiles,
Relieve their suff'rings and reward their toils.
Your sex from skill in household cares dispense.
Yet those where fortune smiles, whom fancy warms,
May paint historic or ideal forms;
Teach the fair flow'r on lucid lawn to spring,
The lute to languish or the tongue to sing.
With letters, arts, botanic, chemic skill,
Some shall their leisure hours delighted fill;
While some, for studies more sublime design'd,
Expatiate freely o'er the world of mind:
Another class on boldest wing shall soar,
The wand'ring stars and ways of heav'n explore;
Still skill'd not less in captivating arts,
To move our passions and to mend our hearts.
While tiptoe spirits buoy each graceful limb,
See down the dance the lovely fair-one swim;
Her own neat needle-work improves her bloom,
Cloth'd in the labours of Columbia's loom:
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Angelic goodness, loveliness and grace;
And hopes, in bridal bow'rs, to meet those charms,
Bliss to his soul and rapture in her arms!
Then, oh, ye fair! refin'd each grosser sense,
'Gainst delicacy shun the least offence.
What though not call'd to mix in cares of state,
To brave the storm of battle or debate;
Yet in our revolution greatly brave,
What high examples to our sex ye gave?
And still 'tis yours with secret, soft controul,
To hold a gentler empire o'er the soul;
In polish'd states to make, with sweet behest,
The hero happy and the patriot blest;
To charm their anxious hours with cheering smiles,
Relieve their suff'rings and reward their toils.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |