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 |
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A Third Letter to Cousin F. R.
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A Third Letter to Cousin F. R.
Can I be silent, though I seem t'intrude'Mongst such a throng'd important Multitude?
Can I forget that Heart, that seem'd to me
Firmly engag'd in mutual Sympathy,
And Bonds of sacred Friendship, which were then
Suppos'd Immortal? Can my sluggish Pen
Forget its useful Office, though it want
That influencing fair Encouragement,
Which once was wont so freely to distil
In copious Lines, from thy more pregnant Quill?
Nay, nor although I own Realities,
May I in curled Strains Hyperbolize,
That innate Vertue, which in thee doth lye,
Needs no such varnishing, vain Sophistry:
This nought avails, but, like Adventures, toss'd
On Boistrous Seas, may well be reck'ned lost,
If no Return be made: Yet may there be
A better Traffick 'twixt my Friend and me,
If she'll but deign to step from out the Crowd
Of those Incumb'rances, which so be-cloud
And intercept that Converse, which should be
Not too too long confin'd in such as thee;
Who, by Example and good Converse, may
Lead on Associates in an happy Way.
Should then this fading World again e'er find
So great a place in that Heroick Mind,
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Its Grandeur, Pomp, and all its swelling Pride,
To treasure up a far more Noble Prize,
Than can be well observ'd by common Eyes,
Which dote on Toys, and can admire the blaze
Of transitory Honours, but soon daze
At the Appearance of that Glorious Light,
Which to th'Immortal Soul gives perfect Sight
And Prospect of the new Jerusalem,
Where the Redeemed wear the Diadem
Of Endless Glory, and Rejoyce to sing
Melodious Songs of Praise to Sion's King?
Should then this World's Inferiour Trifles be
Of such regard, as to prevail with thee
To look aside? Ah! nay; For thou hast learn'd
To pass by all her Triumphs unconcern'd.
Now therefore, persevere, my worthy Friend,
In that where Friendship never knoweth end.
M. M.
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