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The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D.

Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes

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LXIII.—PIETY IN A COURT. TO PHILOMELA.
  
  
  
  
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LXIII.—PIETY IN A COURT. TO PHILOMELA.


601

Is there a lovely soul, so much divine,
Can act her glorious part, and move and shine
On this enchanted spot of treach'rous ground,
Nor give her virtue nor her fame a wound?
Is there a soul so temper'd, so refin'd,
That pomp nor feeds her sense, nor fires the mind,
That soars above the globe with high disdain,
While earth's gay trifles tempt her thoughts in vain?
Is there a soul can fix her raptur'd eyes,
And glance warm wishes at her kindred skies
Thro' roofs of vaulted gold, while round her burn
Love's wanton fires, and die beneath her scorn?
Is there a soul at court that seeks the grove
Or lonely hill to muse on heav'nly love;
And when to crowds and state her hour descends,
She keeps her conscience and her God her friends?
Have ye not met her, angels, in her flight,
Wing'd with devotion, thro' meridian night,
Near heav'ns high portal?—Angels, speak her name,
Consign Eusebia to celestial fame:
While Philomel in language like your own
To mortal ears makes her young vict'ries known;
Let Raphael to the skies her honours sing,
And triumphs daily new. With friendly wing
Gabriel in arms attend her thro' the field
Of sacred war, and mercy be her shield,
While with unsully'd charms she makes her way
Thro' scenes of dangerous life, to realms of endless day.