Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
 |
|
On Solomon's Requests.
|
 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
148
On Solomon's Requests.
Great
Solomon, t'whom Heav'n was pleas'd to give
A Token of his Favour, when requir'd
To ask and have; 'twas not that he might live
To num'rous Years, or Riches he desir'd,
Nor yet the Fame of outward Victory,
But that his Heart true Wisdom might enjoy.
A Token of his Favour, when requir'd
To ask and have; 'twas not that he might live
To num'rous Years, or Riches he desir'd,
Nor yet the Fame of outward Victory,
But that his Heart true Wisdom might enjoy.
Who, when he had this great Request obtain'd,
Esteeming it above the finest Gold,
Other more mean Enjoyments also gain'd;
He learn'd by this, Enigma's to unfold;
And saw by this, all things below the Sun,
Were Vanity, and must to Period come:
Esteeming it above the finest Gold,
Other more mean Enjoyments also gain'd;
He learn'd by this, Enigma's to unfold;
And saw by this, all things below the Sun,
Were Vanity, and must to Period come:
And while to this he rightly was inclin'd,
His steps were guided in the Path of Peace;
His Understanding Heart and Princely Mind
In Wisdom's Secrets daily found Increase:
He then Experimentally could tell,
Her Price all glistring Rubies did excel.
His steps were guided in the Path of Peace;
His Understanding Heart and Princely Mind
In Wisdom's Secrets daily found Increase:
He then Experimentally could tell,
Her Price all glistring Rubies did excel.
For this alone gives true Nobility,
Rightly instructing Princes how to Reign,
As with a Righteous Scepter: 'Tis hereby
The Magistrate bears not the Sword in vain,
To punish or protect; but knows t'extend
Mercy and Justice with impartial Hand:
Rightly instructing Princes how to Reign,
As with a Righteous Scepter: 'Tis hereby
The Magistrate bears not the Sword in vain,
To punish or protect; but knows t'extend
Mercy and Justice with impartial Hand:
149
Therefore a Terror only unto them,
Whose Acts and Deeds are Evil; but a Praise
To Wisdom's Children. Thus the Diadem
Of Princely Solomon gave forth such Rays,
As dazled the Beholders: Majesty
Shin'd in his Wisdom to each wond'ring Eye;
Whose Acts and Deeds are Evil; but a Praise
To Wisdom's Children. Thus the Diadem
Of Princely Solomon gave forth such Rays,
As dazled the Beholders: Majesty
Shin'd in his Wisdom to each wond'ring Eye;
Much more than in the Plenty of his Gold,
Or Sparkling Gems, common to other Kings;
'Twas none of these, when niggard Fame had told
His Name in Sheba's Court, that from thence brings
That famous Queen, whose Heart was set on fire
To prove the Truth, his Wisdom to admire.
Or Sparkling Gems, common to other Kings;
'Twas none of these, when niggard Fame had told
His Name in Sheba's Court, that from thence brings
That famous Queen, whose Heart was set on fire
To prove the Truth, his Wisdom to admire.
Where secret Wisdom dwells, at her right Hand
are length of Days, and Peace, wherewith to bless
Those that attend on her, and always stand
As at her Door, the Gate of Righteousness:
With Wealth & Honours her right Hand requites
Those whom she's pleas'd to own her Favourites.
are length of Days, and Peace, wherewith to bless
Those that attend on her, and always stand
As at her Door, the Gate of Righteousness:
With Wealth & Honours her right Hand requites
Those whom she's pleas'd to own her Favourites.
But Words, alas, cannot enough set forth
Its Excellence, nor Tongue of Man declare
True Wisdom's Price, according to its Worth:
She dwells i'th' humble Heart, that's fill'd with fear
Of the Almighty; and all those that have her,
Find Substance that remains, yea, endless Treasure.
Its Excellence, nor Tongue of Man declare
True Wisdom's Price, according to its Worth:
She dwells i'th' humble Heart, that's fill'd with fear
Of the Almighty; and all those that have her,
Find Substance that remains, yea, endless Treasure.
| Fruits of Retirement | |