University of Virginia Library

---

257

To Miss A. W. a very young Lady.

Let the Muse then send her Song
To thy Mind, Thy Mind yet young,
Yet as pure and free from Stain
As the Snow driv'n o'er the Plain:

---

258

But how nice th'instructive Lay!
Yet the Muse has bid me say,
Thou hast ask'd, and she'll obey.

Gentle Maid, to whose kind Heart
Friendly Nature doth impart,
(Choicest of the Gifts she brings)
Soft good Temper, first of Things.
May that Temper be your Guide,
May she still with Thee reside,
Free from Passion, free from Pride;
Pride that aims the deadliest Dart
At the growing Virgin's Heart.
Once its Poison enter'd there,
Nought can cure the wounded Fair.
Pride like Venus does not move,
Graces at her Side and Love;
But the fierce Desire of Power,
And dull Ign'rance march before;

---

259

Affectation, Vanity,
Saucy Sneer and Calumny,
Cruelty, and high Disdain,
Form her Virtue-killing Train.
Shun then Flattery's tainting Breath,
Self-Opinion shun like Death.

Next, my Fair, with curious quest
Search the Garden of thy Breast,
Underneath th'enliven'd Clay,
Midst the Streams that thro' it stray,
Clay as fine as Nature makes,
Streams yet cool in Vestal Lakes;
Search, I say, with nicest Heed,
And, if found, destroy the Weed;
Fruitless, Baleful, and Unkind,
(Fond yet of the Female Mind)
If base Avarice you spy,
Pluck it forth, and bid it die;

---

260

See! thy Parents praise the Deed,
Loathing the pernicious Weed,
And with Pleasure bid Thee tread
On the Snow-cold Poison's Head.

The observing Muse believe,
Nothing can your Bliss deceive,
If in noble Scorn you hold
Thirst of Power, and Love of Gold.
Quell'd these Passions, Thou shalt find
Virtue easy, soft, and kind.
These two Dangers canst Thou shun,
More than half Life's Task is done.
When thy Breast thus clear'd you see,
When the Soil from Weeds is free,
When no more the Thistle grows,
Nor the Thorn surrounds the Rose,
Thou shalt then employ thy Hours,
Gath'ring Sweets and culling Flowers.

---

261

All that Virtue has to give
Thou shalt to thy Breast receive.
Under thy commanding Eye,
White-rob'd Purity shall lie;
And thy alt'ring Cheek her Throne
Rose-red Modesty shall own;
Still at thy extended Hand
Glowing Charity shall stand;
And upon thy Lips shall dwell
Truths as pure as Angels tell.