 | A present for young ladies |  |
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.
FOR 1810.
Will you permit a very little maid?
(Who to confess the truth, is half afraid,
Thus to appear before so many friends;
On whom her happiness this day depends.
But pray you do not think that I presume,
It was our governess who bade me come.)
Your kind attention humbly to entreat,
At least your patience, while we shall repeat
Our exercises here, and strive to show
What we have learnt, what done and what we know.
With hearts that palpitate with hope and fear,
We venture in your presence to appear.
If we have been to our own int'rest blind,
Slighting the means to cultivate the mind.
How shall we dare our downcast eyes to raise,
Feeling we merit censure, ask for praise?
If we've improv'd each moment as it fied,
In storing treasure for the heart and head,
We come before you now with hearts light beating,
Certain your kindest smiles will give us greeting.
(Who to confess the truth, is half afraid,
13
On whom her happiness this day depends.
But pray you do not think that I presume,
It was our governess who bade me come.)
Your kind attention humbly to entreat,
At least your patience, while we shall repeat
Our exercises here, and strive to show
What we have learnt, what done and what we know.
With hearts that palpitate with hope and fear,
We venture in your presence to appear.
If we have been to our own int'rest blind,
Slighting the means to cultivate the mind.
How shall we dare our downcast eyes to raise,
Feeling we merit censure, ask for praise?
If we've improv'd each moment as it fied,
In storing treasure for the heart and head,
We come before you now with hearts light beating,
Certain your kindest smiles will give us greeting.
This we must own, our teachers tried their pow'rs
T'improve us, if we fail, the fault is ours.
Pray you look round, methinks you will not say,
Your kindness, or our time, was thrown away.
Usefully ev'ry moment we divide,
The needle is with skill and labour plied;
The pen, and pencil, take an equal turn,
While all with gen'rous emulation burn,
Your smiles and approbation to obtain,
Oh, do not let our labour prove in vain
My dear companions soon will let you see
How far in learning, they have outstripp'd me:
But I will try before another year,
To be as forward as the oldest here.
T'improve us, if we fail, the fault is ours.
Pray you look round, methinks you will not say,
Your kindness, or our time, was thrown away.
Usefully ev'ry moment we divide,
The needle is with skill and labour plied;
The pen, and pencil, take an equal turn,
While all with gen'rous emulation burn,
Your smiles and approbation to obtain,
Oh, do not let our labour prove in vain
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How far in learning, they have outstripp'd me:
But I will try before another year,
To be as forward as the oldest here.
Pray you excuse me for my childish prate,
I had forgot, those kind companions wait
To claim your favour; then with candour hear them,
If worthy, let your approbation cheer them.
I had forgot, those kind companions wait
To claim your favour; then with candour hear them,
If worthy, let your approbation cheer them.
| A present for young ladies | |