University of Virginia Library


293

STANZAS TO MY BELOVED DAUGHTER,

ON SEEING HER GATHER SOME PENSEES.

Forbear, rash Maid! thy hand restrain;
Nor with yon gentle victim stain
A breast so fair, so true!
Ah! think, the little harmless flow'r
Lives but a transient sunny hour,
Ere doom'd to fade like you.
Though silken cords around it twin'd,
One sad, short day, its stems may bind;
Vain is the harsh decree!
Its magic form no spell can hold;
Still shall it triumph uncontroul'd,
For Thoughts are ever free.
And if those Buds, so sweet, so fair,
Can 'scape the bold intruder's snare,
Their triumph should be thine;
For, like thy pure and tender heart,
They scorn the feeble aid of Art,
And glow with charms divine.

294

Then let soft Sympathy prevail;
No more the gentle leaves assail!
Ah! let them bloom their hour!
Take not what bounteous Nature gave,
But learn to cherish, and to save,
Then triumph in thy Pow'r!