The poems of Dr. Yalden :: :: University of Virginia Library

AGAINST IMMODERATE GRIEF.

TO A YOUNG LADY WEEPING.

AN ODE IN IMITATION OF CASIMIRE.

Could mournful sighs, or floods of tears, prevent
The ills, unhappy men lament:
Could all the anguish of my mind
Remove my cares, or make but Fortune kind;
Soon I'd the grateful tribute pay,
And weep my troubled thoughts away:
To wealth and pleasure every sigh prefer,
And more than gems esteem each falling tear.

But, since insulting cares are most inclin'd
To triumph o'er th' afflicted mind;
Since sighs can yield us no relief,
And tears, like fruitful showers, but nourish grief;
Then cease, fair mourner, to complain,
Nor lavish such bright streams in vain,
But still with chearful thoughts thy cares beguile,
And tempt thy better fortunes with a smile.

The generous mind is by its sufferings known,
Which no affliction tramples down;
But when oppress'd will upward move,
Spurn down its clog of cares, and soar above.
Thus the young royal eagle tries
On the sun-beams his tender eyes,
And, if he shrinks not at th' offensive light,
He's then for empire fit, and takes his soaring flight,

Though cares assault thy breast on every side,
Yet bravely stem th' impetuous tide:
No tributary tears to Fortune pay,
Nor add to any loss a nobler day;
But with kind hopes support thy mind,
And think thy better lot behind:
Amidst afflictions let thy soul be great,
And show thou dar'st deserve a better state.

Then, lovely mourner, wipe those tears away,
And cares that urge thee to decay;
Like ravenous Age thy charms they waste,
Wrinkle thy youthful brow, and blooming beauties blast.
But keep thy looks and mind serene,
All gay without, all calm within;
For Fate is aw'd, and adverse Fortunes fly
A chearful look, and an unconquer'd eye.