 | Miscellaneous Pieces |  |
99
To Emilia.
If native sense, and unaffected ease,
Good nature and benevolence can please;
Emilia claims, without the help of art,
Her share of friendship in the social heart.
But real friendship should not, must not bear
A fault uncensur'd in a mind so fair:
Let censure in her gentlest form persuade,
Nor frown indignant on the lovely maid:
And let Emilia unoffended hear,
While friendship softly thus accosts her ear.
Good nature and benevolence can please;
Emilia claims, without the help of art,
Her share of friendship in the social heart.
But real friendship should not, must not bear
A fault uncensur'd in a mind so fair:
Let censure in her gentlest form persuade,
Nor frown indignant on the lovely maid:
And let Emilia unoffended hear,
While friendship softly thus accosts her ear.
My dear Emilia, would you always know
The peaceful joys which virtue can bestow:
Those joys from grave reflection have their birth,
Begun by heaven, nor terminate on earth.
Then be reflection cherish'd in your breast,
She gives you counsel needful to your rest.
When gay amusement spreads her net for hearts
And softly wooes you with her syren arts;
Has not reflection whisper'd?—“Ah beware
“Fly, fly the midnight ball—mirth revels there,
“With dissipation and her idle train;
“A thousand follies fluttering, light and vain:
“The unmeaning compliment, the study'd smile,
“The sneer of malice, the smooth brow of guile,
“Mix in the dance, and should detraction rude,
“Remorseless, arm'd with venom'd darts intrude,
“(Vile foe to virtue, and to honest fame)
“Then bleeds some hapless virgin's wounded name.
“Fly, fly the danger, and with me retreat
“Where innocence, and peace, and safety meet.”
The peaceful joys which virtue can bestow:
Those joys from grave reflection have their birth,
Begun by heaven, nor terminate on earth.
Then be reflection cherish'd in your breast,
She gives you counsel needful to your rest.
When gay amusement spreads her net for hearts
And softly wooes you with her syren arts;
Has not reflection whisper'd?—“Ah beware
“Fly, fly the midnight ball—mirth revels there,
100
“A thousand follies fluttering, light and vain:
“The unmeaning compliment, the study'd smile,
“The sneer of malice, the smooth brow of guile,
“Mix in the dance, and should detraction rude,
“Remorseless, arm'd with venom'd darts intrude,
“(Vile foe to virtue, and to honest fame)
“Then bleeds some hapless virgin's wounded name.
“Fly, fly the danger, and with me retreat
“Where innocence, and peace, and safety meet.”
And did the friendly monitor in vain
Dissuade Emilia from the dangerous scene?
Where was her guardian angel? could he bear
To be confin'd in such polluted air?
Or did the gentle spirit, with a sigh,
Resign his charge and seek his native sky?
Vain questions! His omniscient eye was there,
Who trusted time's rich talent to your care;
And he requires improvement at your hands,
A strict account his holy law demands.
O, squander not the precious hours away,
No more in such amusements close a day,
As will not bear reflection's sober test,
Nor add calm pleasure to your nightly rest.
Dissuade Emilia from the dangerous scene?
Where was her guardian angel? could he bear
To be confin'd in such polluted air?
Or did the gentle spirit, with a sigh,
Resign his charge and seek his native sky?
Vain questions! His omniscient eye was there,
Who trusted time's rich talent to your care;
And he requires improvement at your hands,
A strict account his holy law demands.
O, squander not the precious hours away,
No more in such amusements close a day,
As will not bear reflection's sober test,
Nor add calm pleasure to your nightly rest.
While your almighty benefactor pours
His various blessings on your circling hours;
For all the gifts his bounteous hands impart
He claims the tribute of a thankful heart:
O be your sprightly powers your blooming days
With grateful joy devoted to his praise.
His various blessings on your circling hours;
101
He claims the tribute of a thankful heart:
O be your sprightly powers your blooming days
With grateful joy devoted to his praise.
Think in that awful, that tremendous hour,
When earth's alluring toys will please no more,
When trembling, on life's utmost verge you tread,
With vast eternity before you spread;
Think, what will be your wish, your ardent prayer,
And make it now your first, your constant care.
To that almighty Saviour now apply,
On whom alone you safely can rely:
Whose smile can cheer you in that awful scene,
And make the boundless prospect all serene.
When earth's alluring toys will please no more,
When trembling, on life's utmost verge you tread,
With vast eternity before you spread;
Think, what will be your wish, your ardent prayer,
And make it now your first, your constant care.
To that almighty Saviour now apply,
On whom alone you safely can rely:
Whose smile can cheer you in that awful scene,
And make the boundless prospect all serene.
Let not my dear Emilia call severe,
The friendly dictates of a heart sincere:
A heart that wishes real bliss for you
Beyond this narrow world's contracted view.
O may you, taught by grace divine, aspire
(With all the ardour of sincere desire)
To that bright world, where pleasure dwells refin'd,
To charm, to fix, to satisfy the mind;
Till joyful, you from earth's allurements part,
And heaven that claims, possesses all your heart.
The friendly dictates of a heart sincere:
A heart that wishes real bliss for you
Beyond this narrow world's contracted view.
O may you, taught by grace divine, aspire
(With all the ardour of sincere desire)
To that bright world, where pleasure dwells refin'd,
To charm, to fix, to satisfy the mind;
Till joyful, you from earth's allurements part,
And heaven that claims, possesses all your heart.
| Miscellaneous Pieces | |