University of Virginia Library

To CLARA.

Clara, would thy wish be wise,
Let it mount above the Skies;
Never sigh for transient joys,
Empty, fading, glittering toys.
Court not what the world desires,
Vain is all the world admires;
Gaudy follies are delighting,
Foolish pleasures are inviting,
Vainly sweet they court the taste,
Dearly bought and quickly past.
Think, O think, that every blessing
Palls and dies in the possessing;
No lasting joy can earth bestow,
A good deny'd to man below.
Clara, seek a nobler end,
Slight the flatt'ring, seeming friend;
Fill thy mind with virtue's treasure,
Virtue is the only pleasure:
Then each vain desire remove,
And fire thine heart with better love.
Let thy lofty mind aspire,
Much attain and more desire;
Teach thy wishes how to fly
On wings of strong philosophy,
And timely teach them how to know,
“The joys which from religion flow;”
Thus fix'd, no sorrows shalt thou find,
No fears or cares disturb thy mind,
No vain desires shall e'er delude,
Nor false phantastic forms intrude;
No ill thy bosom shall infest,
A place by Heaven alone possest.