By the soft eloquence of infant tears,
Perchance by nature prompted, to his roof
He led the fatherless.
Of nuptial happiness; a rustic cot,
Small yet convenient for their wants were few:
And Edgar, knowing what all men should learn,
Was with his lot contented.-Happy state!
Labour he plied for exercise, not gain,
At early dawn, he led me to the field;
And, drawing morals from each task he took,
Told me, "That every seed well sown, on earth,
Would yield full harvest in that awful day,
When all arrears of labour shall be paid;
Each well-meant toil rewarded."-
Once perchance,
I found him busied near a murmʼring rill:
To various little streams he turned its source,
'Where, wand'ring devious through his neat-dress'd grounds,
It cheer'd the green copse, fill'd the earing-corn;
Then trickled gently through the perfum'd grove.
4. "Mark well my child," he said; "this little stream
Shall teach thee Charity. It is a source
I never knew to fail: directed thus
Be that soft stream, the fountain of thy heart
For, Oh! my much lov'd child, I trust thy heart
Has those affections that shall bless thyself;
And flowing softly, like this little rill,
Cheer all that droop."
The good man did not err;
The milk of human-kindness warm'd my breast;
Young as I was, I felt for others' woes,
And, when I could, reliev'd them.-Yet I was young! And, having lavish'd all my infant store.
In gewgaw toys, and childish fooleries,
I do remember well, a veteran old,
Maim'd and disfigur'd by the hand of war,
Implor'd my charity.
His various wants-sore, sick, and wan, he seem'd
My little heart bled at each wound he show'd,
Alas! Alas! replied my infant thoughts,
And shall want cloud the evening of his days
Whose noon of life was toil?-And then I wept.-
It was the first time that I e'er knew want:
I was indeed a bankrupt.
I wept, but spoke not; for my heart was full,
"What wilt thou give my boy?"-Fearing a lie,
I sobb'd out truth most sadly. Edgar felt;
Pardon'd my folly; (for he lov'd my tears ;)
And gave what sooth'd the poor man's misery.
But, in our evening walk, behold! the stream
Was dry. I ask'd the cause--
"Mark me, my child ! This rill, I told thee of, through all thy life, Should teach thee Charity.-Now let it teach, If yet thou hast to learn, that the bless'd source Of lib'ral deeds, is wise Economy.
This morn, like thee, I drew the stream too fast : Now-when the parch'd glebe wants its wat'ry aid, The source is all exhausted."
To some children listening to a lark.
1. SEE the lark prunes his active wings,
Rises to heaven and soars and sings!
His morning hymns, his mid-day lays,
Are one continued song of praise.
He speaks his Maker all he can,
And shames the silent tongue of man.
2. When the declining orb of light
Reminds him of approaching night,
His warbling vespers swell his breast;
And, as he sings, he sinks to rest.
3. Shall birds instructive lessons teach,
And we be deaf to what they preach ?--
No, ye dear nestlings of my heart;
Go, act the wiser songster's part;
Spurn your warm couch at early dawn,
And with your God begin the morn.
4. To him your grateful tribute pay,
Through ev'ry period of the day,
To him your evening songs direct;
His eye shall watch, his arm protect :
Though darkness reigns, he's with you still;
Then sleep, my babes, and fear no ill.
The advantages of early religion.
1. HAPPY the child, whose tender years Receive instruction well;
Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.
2. When we give up our youth to God,
'Tis pleasing in his eyes:
A flow'r that's offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.
3. 'Tis easy work, if we begin
To fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners, who grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.
4. 'Twill save us from a thousand snares,
To mind religion young,
It will preserve our foll'wing years,
And make our virtue strong.
5. To thee, Almighty God! to thee
Our childhood we resign;
'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.
6. Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise
Employ our youngest breath;
Thus we're prepar'd for longer days,
Or fit for early death.
Peace and love recommended.
1. Let dogs delight to bark and bite :
For God hath made them so
Let bears and Lions growl and fight;
For 'tis their nature too.
2. But children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each others eyes.
3. Let love through all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Live like God's well beloved Son.
That sweet and lovely child.
4. His soul was gentle as a lamb;
And as in age he grew,
He grew in favour both with man,
And God his Father too.
5. The Lord of all who reigns above,
Does from his heav'nly throne,
Behold what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.
To a young woman with a watch.
1. WHILE this gay toy attracts thy sight,
Thy reason let it warn:
And seize, my dear, that rapid time,
That never must return.
2. If idly lost, no art nor care
The blessing can restore;
And Heav'n requires a strict account
For every mispent hour.
3. Short is our longest day of life,
And soon its prospect ends;
Yet on that day's uncertain date,
Eternity depends.
4. But equal to our being's aim,
The space to virtue giv❜n;
And ev'ry minute, well improv'd
Secures an age in Heav'n.
Verses accompanying a nosegay.
1. THOU canst not steal the rose's bloom,
To decorate thy face;
But the sweet blush of modesty,
Will lend an equal grace.
2. These violets scent the distant gale;
(They grew in lowly bed;)
So real worth new merit gains,
By diffidence o'erspread.
3. Nor wilt thou e'er that lily's white,
In thy complexion find;
Yet innocence may shine as fair,
Within thy spotless mind.
4. Now, in the op'ning spring of life,
Let ev'ry flow'ret bloom:
The budding virtues in hy breast
Shall yield the best perfume.
5. This nosegay, in thy bosom plac'd,
A moral may convey:
For soon its brightest tints shall fade,
And all its sweets decay.
6. So short-liv'd are the lovely tribes
Of Flora's transient reign:
They bud, blow, wither, fall and die;
Then turn to earth again..
7. And thus, my dear, must ev'ry charm,
Which youth is proud to share,
Alike this quick succession prove,
And the same truth declare.
8. Sickness will change the roseate hue,
Which glowing health bespeaks;
And age will wrinkle with its cares
And smile on beauty's cheeks.
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