Poetical Trifles :: :: University of Virginia Library

Oh, say! how hard, but pleasing is my task,
When ye, fair race, with pleasing mildness ask
Me to pour forth my strains of infant muse,
Nor kindly name what subject I must choose;
Words from the heart betray the feelings true,
Then let these humbly tell my wish to you.
May you, through this fleet life, e'er happy be,
Blest with calm peace, and sweet security;
Around your lot may mild contentment twine,
The heart unruffl'd, grateful, and benign;

May revolving years each more charming find,
Grac'd with the spotless virtues of the mind;
And, when doom'd hereafter by Heav'n's decree,
May you resigned meet adversity;
May wearying toil and torturing care,
Ne'er pure and harmless joys unfeeling tear;
To crown this bliss, may friendship's sweets attend,
And halcyon pleasures uniting blend;
May He, whose glitt'ring light beams thro' the day,
Illume life's chequer'd path with cheering ray;
Misfortune's woes may that same Power remove,
While Truth and Honour your sure guardians prove.