"On thee attends a radiant quire,

Soft smiling Peace, and downy Rest,
With Love that prompts the warbling lyre,
And Hope that sooths the throbbing breast.

"O sent from heav'n to haunt the grove,
Where squint-ey'd Envy ne'er can come;
Nor pines the cheek with luckless love,
Nor anguish chills the living bloom;

"But spotless Beauty, rob'd in white,
Sits on yon moss-green hill reclin'd;
Serene as heaven's unsully'd light,
And pure as Delia's gentle mind:

"Grant, heav'nly Power! thy peaceful sway
May still my ruder thoughts control;
Thy hand to point my dubious way,
Thy voice to sooth the melting soul!

"Far in the shady sweet retreat

Let thought beguile the lingering hour;

Let quiet court the mossy seat,

And twining olives form the bower.

"Let dove-ey'd Peace her wreath bestow;
And oft sit listening in the dale,
While night's sweet warbler from the bough
Tells to the grove her plaintive tale.

"Soft as in Delia's snowy breast,

Let each consenting passion move,
Let angels watch its silent rest,
And all its blissful dreams be love."

VIRTUE AND ORNAMENT.

TO THE LADIES.

BY DR. FORDYCE.

THE diamond's and the ruby's rays

Shine with a milder, finer flame, And more attract our love and praise

Than Beauty's self, if lost to Fame.

But the sweet tear in Pity's eye

Transcends the diamonds brightest beams;

And the soft blush of Modesty

More precious than the ruby seems.

The glowing gem, the sparkling stone,

May strike the sight with quick surprise;

But Truth and Innocence alone

Can still engage the good and wise.

No glitt'ring ornament or show

Will aught avail in grief or pain:

Only from inward worth can flow
Delight that ever shall remain,

P

Behold, ye fair, your lovely Queen!
'Tis not her jewels, but her mind;
A meeker, purer, ne'er was seen;
It is her Virtue charms mankind!

VIRTUE AND PLEASURE.

BY THE SAME.

INFORM ME, VIRTUE! is it true!

Does PLEASURE really dwell with you?
The sons of sense say, No.
They say, that all who mind your rules
Are gloomy superstitious fools,
And every joy forego.

They say, and openly maintain,
That your rewards are care and pain;
And while on heav'n you preach,

At best 'tis but a phantom fair,
The soul is mortal, melts in air,
And heav'n shall never reach.

Or tell me, PLEASURE! what you feel; Speak honestly, nor aught conceal:

The matter is of weight. PLEASURE, sweet power, to Nature dear!

I never wish to be austere;

I seek the happiest state.

PLEASURE replies with modest smile, "Let not a name thy heart beguile; My name the sons of sense Have oft assum'd: but, trust me, they From happiness are far astray; 'Tis all a mere pretence.

"To me they boast alliance near;
As men of pleasure, men of cheer,
If you will them believe.
Meanwhile they are of CIRCE's crew,
Wretched, defil'd; with painted hue,
Weak mortals to deceive.

"CIRCE, my rival, harlot base!

Her poison'd cup the human race
To phrensy can inflame:
Her blinded followers she betrays;
Her specious arts, her flowery ways,
Lead on to guilt and shame.

"Mine is a purer, nobler rise,

VIRTUE, my parent, from the skies
Came down to bless the earth
With me, the child she bore to LOVE;
A beauteous happy pair above,
And here of highest worth!

"VIRTUE, I grant, is often tried

By sickness, sorrow, envy, pride;
Nor is asham'd to mourn.
But trial strengthens: conscience cheers,
Of death and woe prevents the fears:
Assaults to vict'ry turn.

"Of active life the hard turmoils,

The patriot's cares, the hero's toils,
In brighter triumphs end.
Of friendship, sympathy, the pains,
A gen'rous soul accounts her gains,
While all the good commend.

"But who can paint the heartfelt glow
Of holy love, of thought the flow
Reciprocal, sincere;

Faith's firm repose, hope's vision bright,
Of God's approving face the light,
Of prayer the rapt'rous tear?

"Nor deem such bliss an empty form;
'Tis solid, will defy the storm,
And keep the breast serene;
When all the merriment of Vice,
A low-born vapour, sudden flies,
And leaves a void within.