University of Virginia Library

CONTENT.

The fourth Speech.

Since Love's short Joys soon yield to lasting Woe,
Since more of Pain than Pleasure Lovers know;
Since forward Hope deludes us to believe,
And then, like other Beauties, will deceive;
Since dark Despair rules yet with sterner Sway,
And leaves us not one comfortable Ray:
Grant me some better Aid, immortal Pow'rs,
To regulate my Life and cheer my Hours:
To charm all Cares, all anxious Thoughts prevent;
And what can do it like divine Content;
Content alone can harmonize the Soul,
Can rash Attempts and vain Desires controul;
Curb the loose Sallies of unbounded Will,
And keep the wild impetuous Passions still.
She checks our eager Hopes, dispels our Fears,
And gives a Truce to Love's perplexing Cares;
Brightens the Mind and beautifies the Mien,
While all is easy, placid and serene;
Content can solid Happiness impart,
And form a little Heav'n in ev'ry Heart;
In ev'ry Heart that is so highly blest,
To entertain the fair celestial Guest.
Happy the Man that can this Treasure find,
This calm Companion of the humble Mind,
Un-chang'd he bears blind Fortune's wild Excess,
Her Smiles transport not, or her Frowns depress;
Blest with Content, how smoothly runs his Glass,
How soft and sweet the chearful Minutes pass!
Such be the Lives of all our Patrons here,
Those worthy Patrons we so much revere;
Health, Wealth, and Honour, may they all possess,
And true Content their ev'ry Moment bless.