Miscellanies (1785) :: :: University of Virginia Library

How shall I bribe you, pretty creatures,
Your harmless pastimes to suspend?
Say, do you wish fair minds as features?
Then let the Poet be your friend.

104

A moment spare to read his verses,
Where fondness glows and truth appears;
Bards can't put money in your purses,
But they may save a thousand tears.

Ah! learn betimes to taste the pleasure
Domestic love alone can give;
Resolve, since Heaven allows the treasure,
A brother's, sister's life to live.

Still, Henry, as in yonder picture,
Let Sally hang upon your arm;
There of your duty see the stricture,
And let the breathing canvass warm.

And when, for this world's sounding rattles,
Or the gilt toys which Fortune sends,
Ye are dispos'd to little battles,
Look at the Picture, and be friends.

Trust me, dear ones, not a bauble,
Which this painted world can show,
Can deserve a moment's squabble,
Can deserve a moment's woe.

105

Serious pains enough, believe me,
Fall in life's uneven road;
These sufficiently will grieve ye;
Children, add not to the load.

Needless, needless, such distressing;
Sweet ones, act a wiser part;
Still yon Picture hints a blessing;
Oh! improve the Painter's art,

Sally, you, as bound in duty,
Ev'ry softer debt should pay;
Harry's strength shall guard your beauty,
He must rule, and you obey.

See the oak that crowns the meadow,
Tow'rs majestic from the ground;
See the woodbine courts its shadow,
Wreathing firm its arms around.

Next behold yon myrtle blowing,
Shelter'd by the lordly pine;
Like that pine is Harry growing;
Gentle maid, the myrtle's thine.

106

Then, my dears, your anxious mother,
Down whose cheeks the fond tears stray,
Shall bless the sister, bless the brother,
While ye kiss those tears away.

To each other oft repairing,
Fate and fortune both shall brave;
Till death your joys and sorrows sharing,
Forming that Picture in the grave.