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A PARAPHRASE.
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A PARAPHRASE ON PART OF THE OECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE.
INSCRIBED TO HIS EXCELLENCY THOMAS POWNALL, ESQ GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.
BOSTON NEW-ENGLAND: PRINTED AND SOLD BY GREEN AND RUSSELL, AT THEIR PRINTING-OFFICE, IN QUEEN-STREET. MDCCLIX.
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THE CONTENTS.
- INTRODUCTION. Page 3
- ANGER. Page 7
- DESIRE AND LOVE. Page 14
- WOMAN. Page 22
- HUSBAND. Page 34
- FATHER. Page 41
- SON. Page 49
- BROTHERS. Page 53
- WISE AND IGNORANT. Page 56
- MAGISTRATES AND SUBJECTS. Page 65
- RELIGION. Page 75
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ADVERTISEMENT.
"THE OECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE" gave rise to the following performance.
The first draught of it was only a versification of the oeconomy: but the author having since considerably enlarged it without regarding the original, it cannot be called in it's present state a versification. And even the title it now bears "A PARAPHRASE" does not properly belong to it: for thô, in some parts of it, it may be a paraphrase; in other parts, the matter is not the same.
It is called "a paraphrase" for want of a more suitable title; and to shew not only, what it had it's rise from; but, the author's obligations to "the oeconomy".
If what is here offer'd to the public should not be disapproved; the remainder, or the whole together may perhaps, at some convenient time, be submitted to their censure.
BOSTON MARCH 28, 1759.
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A PARAPHRASE ON PART OF The Oeconomy of Human Life.
INTRODUCTION.
YE Sons of earth! with lowly rev'rence bend;
And silently your deep attention lend
To truth, instructive truth; which from on high,
Is sent to you, the fav'rites of the sky.
Where'er the sun directs his genial ray;
Where'er superior orbs their light display;
Where sound, swift-wafted on the wings of air,
Can reach a fit — a correspondent car;
[Page 4]Where'er are minds endow'd with reason's ray;
Where'er fair reason can her charms display:
Ev'n there — built firm on nature's lasting base —
Let truth succeed, adorn'd with ev'ry grace:
There let truth's sacred precepts be convey'd;
Rever'd by all; by all with joy obey'd.
From GOD alone the wide extended earth,
And all the worlds around deriv'd their birth:
Grace beauty and proportion from his hand
Sprung forth effulgent, at his great command.
Spread thrô the regions of unbounded space,
In all his works see harmony and grace:
In all his works, consummately divine,
Unbounded pow'r and perfect wisdom shine:
In him united all perfection lies;
He's good and great, omnipotent and wise:
His wisdom, pure as heav'n's unsullied light,
All-glorious shines; beyond conception bright:
His dauntless arm a pow'r almighty wears;
And in his works it's matchless pow'r declares:
[Page 5]In unremitting streams his goodness flows;
And undiminish'd thrô all nature glows:
His attributes unrival'd pass all bounds;
Eternal Majesty * his throne surrounds:
There seated — crown'd with glory's spotless light.
And full-array'd with all-creating might —
He bids the world, an unform'd sluggish mass,
Assume new beauty, harmony and grace:
Observant of it's Sov'reign's high commands,
The world all-graceful—all harmonious stands:
His breath a renovating vigor gives;
And o'er all nature spread, all nature lives.
From the calm sky, or mounted on the storm,
He sees the universe his will perform:
He bids the orbs, which brighten yonder sky.
Perform their course; th' obedient orbs comply
O'er nature's laws he sov'reignly presides:
And nature's self by meer volition guides.
[Page 6]
The perfect wisdom in GOD'S works display'd,
By human minds but darkly is survey'd:
Knowledge in man but as a dream appears;
His views are short; he reasons and he errs:
But GOD'S is boundless; at perfection stands;
Pervades all nature; and all hearts commands.
HE reasons not; nor truth by inf'rence knows;
For truth from HIM as from it's fountain flows.
Justice and judgment nature's laws do own
Th' eternal basis of th' ALMIGHTY'S throne:
Mercy and love with equal lustre shine
Around that throne, and speak it all divine.
In matchless glory who with GOD shall share?
Or with th' omnipotent in pow'r compare?
In wisdom, who's his rival? or can claim
In real goodness a superior name?
To HIS creative pow'r man owes his birth;
And HE has fix'd his station here on earth:
To HIS beneficence, quite unconfin'd,
Man owes the rare endowments of his mind:
[Page 7]The matchless wonders of the human frame
Declare the architect, and GOD proclaim.
Hear then his voice, O man! obedience pay
To his just precepts, which point out the way
To joys, that shall with raptures fill thy soul,
And age on age in endless series roll.
ANGER.
AS whirlwinds in their rapid course are found
To root up forests, and spread mischief round;
As earthquakes — states and kingdoms overthrown—
By their convulsions make all nature groan:
So anger, leaping reason's sacred mound,
Mischief, with mischief coupled, spreads around;
Destruction all abroad promiscuous throws;
And far and wide dispenses woes on woes:
Unnumbred ills await it's deadly hand,
And scatter terror thrô th' affrightned land.
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These are the dire effects of royal rage;
And these reproach most christian LEWIS' * age:
These mark the annals of the STEWART-RACE;
Eclipse their glory; and their reign disgrace:
Whilst GEORGE & FRED'RICK—in close † union join'd
To scourge the lawless tyrants of mankind —
Unsway'd by passion, rule by reason's laws;
And gain from all th' admiring world applause.
When anger rages in an humbler Sphere,
Th' effects, thô similar, are less severe:
In ev'ry sphere, unheeding reason's ray,
It rushes on, impatient of delay:
In ev'ry sphere all happiness confounds;
Friendship destroys; and social virtue wounds.
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The man, with rage inspir'd, is truly blind;
Before — how bright soe'cr his reason shin'd:
Toss'd like the Sea, while boist'rous are its waves,
With equal rage, by passion toss'd, he raves:
As on the Sea, on passion's billows toss'd,
He quits the helm of reason, and is lost.
While yet thy reason unimpair'd remains;
Ere passion's furious hand has seiz'd the reins;
By others madness warn'd, restrain thy own;
Nor drive bless'd reason from her native throne;
Compel her not to quit the sov'reign sway,
And to her mortal foe to yeild the day.
When rising passion makes the blood grow warm,
And indicates a quick-approaching storm:
When passion risen, with tempestuous force,
Would bear down all things in it's rapid course:
Then — then call reason to your instant aid;
And let her voice be instantly obey'd:
Then — then — in that important moment — shew
That reason can thy passion's rage subdue;
[Page 10]That reason can the wild excess control,
And to a calm reduce the boist'rous soul.
Your passion to subdue, if hard you find;
And if to wrath your nature be inclin'd:
Prevent it; all temptations to it, fly;
And ev'ry way t' elude it's efforts try:
Prevent it; and you'll shew a strength of mind,
Rais'd far above the level of mankind:
You'll shew, that wisdom is your friendly guide;
And o'er your conduct, that her laws preside.
A fool with fools is quickly in a rage,
And in hot broils for trifles will engage:
His rage and folly keep an equal pace,
Reproach his nature and his form disgrace:
While wisdom's sons will kindly condescend
To pardon those who unawares offend:
When passion moves, will bid it not to rage;
And by example teach each sex and age:
Their passion mov'd, it moves by wisdom's laws;
And far from censure, gains deserv'd applause.
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The man of gen'rous principles possess'd,
Whose nature's frailties touch his conscious breast,
If tears, that mark a true repentance flow;
And all the signs of reformation show;
Will ready pardon to offenders bring,
And hide their faults with love's befriending wing.
Indulge not wrath; when angry, quickly cool;
And let right reason all thy passions rule:
Anger but whets a sword to wound thy breast;
To slay thy friend; and all thy joys molest.
By rules of moderation always sway'd,
To no rash act by anger be betray'd:
Let no rash act from sudden passion spring,
To hurt thy credit, or thy conscience sting:
Nothing attempt while passion swells thy breast,
And makes it's rage to all around confest:
Passion drives reason from th' imperial chair,
And does it's subjects noblest pow'rs impair;
Unfits him for the action of the day,
And does his soul to num'rous ills betray.
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Let not revenge find shelter in thy breast,
And with a home-felt pain thy soul infest:
'Twill wound thy heart; allay it's sprightliest joy;
And all thy peace, if e'er indulg'd, destroy:
Thy virtue and it's best productions soil,
And on thyself in all it's rage recoil.
Forgive when wrong'd; and ne'er the wrong return
Nor in thy heart let rage and malice burn:
Who seeks for vengeance with a watchful eye,
In wait against himself does truly lie;
On his own head, by folly circled round,
He draws down ills that all his joys confound.
As water cast on fire abates it's force,
And in a moment checks it's rapid course:
So gentle words, when anger swells to rage,
Can check it's progress, and it's heat asswage:
By gentle words appease a wrathful breast;
And from a frenzy sooth it down to rest:
By gentle words the growing rage impede;
And make a calm to passion's storm succeed.
[Page 13]The man, whose anger you can thus asswage,
And thus appease when in it's fullest rage,
No more shall view thee with a vengeful eye;
Nor more his friendship and esteem deny:
Won by thy goodness, he'll to reason bend;
And from a foe become your hearty friend.
Look round with care, and view the present state;
Unbias'd by the conduct of the great:
Look round with care; and but few things you'll find,
That justly claim solicitude of mind:
Few things—above the mean thy soul to raise;
Or make it with the rage of passion blaze.
Suppress my passion in it's earliest stage;
And all thy pow'rs to check it's force engage:
O'er reason let it ne'er victorious ride;
Nor bear thee headlong down it's rapid tide:
It springs from folly, or from weakness springs;
And ample matter for repentance brings:
With shame 'tis coupled, to disgrace is join'd;
And with remorse insep'rably combin'd.
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DESIRE AND LOVE.
WHEN thrô your veins the blood impetuous flows,
And all the heat of youthful vigor knows:
When nature joyous feels the young desire;
And lovely Syrens for the kindling fire:
Heed well your steps; of ev'ry wile beware;
Their laughing eyes; their wanton looks and air:
Their laughing eyes, their looks and air conspire,
To kindle in the breast love's fiercest fire:
Heed well your steps; beware of all their wiles;
Their lovely voice, and their all-charming smiles:
Their charming smiles subdue the heedless youth,
And make him swerve from virtue and from truth:
His op'ning ear their lovely voices charm;
And with their music all his pow'rs disarm:
Disarm of virtue; which in youth appears,
More lovely, and more graceful than in years:
[Page 15]Disarm of virtue; which alone can give
A joy, that shall all other joys outlive;
A joy, that shall increase with growing age;
Nor fail us when we quit this mortal stage.
Ne'er let a harlot, by a close embrace
Once stain thy virtue, or thy name disgrace:
Resist her charms, by reason's dictates sway'd;
Nor by her form, thô matchless, be betray'd:
Lend not an ear to her delusive tongue,
Perverse in wit, and eloquently wrong:
Nor let thy heart, attracted by her charms,
Resign thee to her all-enslaving arms:
Lest in life's prime — when nature gay appears,
And, full of joy, unnumber'd beauties wears—
Thy full-orb'd sun, thô gloriously it shine,
Should in the morning of thy days decline:
When health's full spring, which can alone supply
The stream of pleasure, shall be quickly dry;
When ev'ry source of joy, so fast they flow,
Shall be all spent, or run at best, but slow:
[Page 16]When pain shall seize thee, in that early stage,
And quick reduce thee to the state of age.
Desire, uncheck'd by reason's rightful sway,
And deaf to what it's sacred precepts say,
Will rise to frenzy and to fury grow;
And, far from yielding joy, all joy o'er throw:
When such it's rage, o'er ev'ry bound it leaps;
And, spurning virtue's nod, the empire keeps:
Thus uncontrol'd, to madness 'twill inflame;
Defeat it's end; and frustrate all it's aim:
Thus uncontrol'd, 'twill ev'ry mis'ry breed;
And, in the end, to sure destruction lead.
Now view the maid, the love-inspiring maid,
With virtue and with modesty array'd:
Survey her matchless form; her mind survey;
And all their beauty in full light display.
Her matchless form, display'd in open light,
Attracts the eye, and charms the ravish'd sight.
Survey'd and re-survey'd from feet to head,
A thousand nameless beauties round her spread:
[Page 17]See down her neck the charming locks descend;
And, black as jet, in waving ringlets end:
The jetty locks, as down her neck they flow,
The lovely white to great advantage show:
Her comely neck, with symmetry and grace.
Rises majestic on it's noble base;
And, like a column of superior art,
Does to the eye 2 fine effect impart:
Her piercing eyes their harmless lightning play;
And dart around a joy-diffusing ray:
Her cheeks, adorn'd with lovely white and red,
May vie with roses in their flow'ry bed:
Her coral lips, whene'er she speaks, disclose
The finest iv'ry in concentric rows:
Her tempting breasts in whiteness far outgo
The op'ning lilly, and the new faln snow:
Her tempting breasts the eyes of all command,
And gently rising court the am'rous hand:
Their beauty and proportion strike the eye,
And art's best skill to equal them defy.
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These matchless charms, which now in bloom appear,
Are far exalted by the dress they wear:
With virtue robe'd, with modesty attir'd,
They're more and more by all mankind admir'd:
With virtue robe'd, with modesty array'd,
They're in the fairest light to all display'd:
True virtue and true modesty inspire
With love sincere, unmix'd with base desire;
Set off the beauties of her lovely face;
And give each feature a peculiar grace:
Each feature sheds a joy-inspiring ray;
And all around are innocently gay:
Each feature speaks the goodness of her mind;
By pride untainted, gen'rous, frank and kind.
How full of innocence her sprightly eye!
Which with the dove's in innocence may vie;
From falshood and from guile how free her heart!
How free from cunning, and intriguing art!
How sweet her kiss! than honey far more sweet;
And like her lips exempt from all deceit:
[Page 19]Her lips far sweeter odours breath around,
Than e'er exhal'd from India's od'rous ground:
More sweet than e'er perfum'd the spicy coast;
More sweet than fam'd Arabia can boast.
Than roses far more grateful is her smile;
And more than roses can the sense beguile.
These are her charms—her charms as bright appear
As yonder stars that deck heav'n's sparkling sphere;
Conquer the breast least capable of love.
These num'rous charms, distinguish'd in their kind,
Are all eclips'd by her superior mind.
Endow'd with ev'ry female excellence,
Good nature, prudence, virtue and good sense,
She sees without a frown a sister's charms,
And thô a rival takes her to her arms:
[Page 20]She looks around; each scene of life reviews;
And with a heedful step her course pursues:
She views her heart with circumspective eyes;
And by true wisdom's laws her conduct tries.
From noble or ignoble lineage sprung,
Vice in her presence dares not move it's tongue;
Aw'd by her presence, at her feet as dead
The monster lies; nor dares to lift it's head.
When from her lips the words harmonious flow,
They're fraught with sense, and with ideas glow:
Ideas—bright with truth's coelestial ray;
And clear as Phoebus in meridian day.
Thus virtue, sense, good nature, prudence—join'd,
Display the rare endowments of her mind:
Endowments—which, from nature thô they came,
Improv'd by wisdom, spread abroad her fame.
From nature's hand, which ev'ry good bestows,
Thô charm on charm in such profusion flows;
She's not elate, she's not debas'd, with pride;
Nor lets it in her charms triumphant ride:
[Page 21]But modesty and kind deportment reign
In all she does, and just applauses gain.
These and a thousand nameless charms conspire
To waken in the breast love's gen'rous fire.
Shut not to love, inspiring love, thy breast;
But, open to it's tenderness, be blest:
It's sacred flame, when uncorrupt and pure,
Shall raise thy heart, and ev'ry joy insure:
It's sacred flame shall mollify thy breast,
And make it suitable to be impress'd
With principles—just, gen'rous, public, free;
That lead to union with Society;
That lead to pleasures social and refin'd;
Enlarge the heart; and elevate the mind.
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WOMAN.
ATTEND ye fair! ye love-inspiring fair!
To wisdom's voice, and her instructions hear!
To wisdom's voice if you an ear will lend;
And unreserv'd to her just precepts bend:
If you'll give ear to virtue's sacred voice;
And what she dictates make your early choice:
If truth's bright precepts free admission find;
And be imprinted deep upon your mind:
Your mental charms a bright'ning ray shall shed;
And round your form unnumber'd beauties spread.
True mental charms emit a brighter ray;
And more true beauty than a face display:
These charms shall make your beauty, in the wane,
The rose's sweetness as in bloom retain:
Shall make you be esteem'd, belov'd, admir'd;
Whilst ev'ry eye is with meer beauty tir'd.
[Page 23]
In life's fair bloom; the morning of your days—
When men with rising passion on you gaze;
When nature, softly whisp'ring in your ear,
Does all the meaning of their looks declare:
Then be your heart upon a watchful guard;
And to their soft persuasions closely bar'd:
Attend with caution to their crafty tongue;
More smooth than oil, and with temptation hung:
To their delusive words no def'rence pay;
But reason's voice religiously obey.
Nature, fair creature! when she form'd thy mind,
Form'd thee a fit companion for mankind:
Not meerly to excite love's genial fire;
And with a flood of joy to quench desire:
Not wantonly to sport the hours away;
Nor, like a slave, man's lawless will obey;
But to assist him in life's num'rous toils;
To chear him in misfortune with your smiles;
To sooth his breast when troubles overbear;
And with your love to recompence his care:
[Page 24]To raise his drooping spirits in distress;
And with your own promote his happiness.
But who is she whom ev'ry grace surrounds;
Whom ev'ry grace with all that's lovely crowns;
By nature form'd to touch a gen'rous breast;
By nature form'd to make man amply blest?
Yonder she walks along in virgin-bloom:
And where she walks the rose's sweets perfume.
See from her presence fly ill-boding fear;
And ev'ry gloom before her disappear!
See innocence with chearfulness combine,
Sit on her brow, and in her actions shine!
See modesty adorn her lovely cheek,
And in her language and behaviour speak!
See temp'rance in due bounds restrain desire;
And give a check to passion's lawless fire!
Humility and meekness, round her head,
Are as a crown of circling glory spread:
Discretion ripens with her growing Years,
And on her brow in scepter'd state appears:
[Page 25]When scandal tarnishes a rising name,
And throws from tongue to tongue her neighbour's fame,
Her soul disdains to spread the scandal round;
And, far from wid'ning, strives to heal the wound.
Unrival'd goodness warms her gen'rous breast;
And there—it's native home—takes up it's rest:
O'er her it bears so uncontrol'd a sway,
She thinks all nature does it's laws obey:
She harbours no suspicions in her mind;
But judges by herself of all mankind.
These virtues, with a graceful freedom crown'd,
Spread far and wide her character around.
Among her virtues prudence bears the sway,
And shines abroad with a distinguish'd ray:
In all she does it uniformly guides;
And o'er her conduct constantly presides.
Softness and love with a majestic mien,
Speak in her eye, and in her looks are seen.
Her tongue harmonious music warbles round;
And on her lips is honey's sweetness found.
[Page 26]Sacred to truth, and by it's laws confin'd,
Her lips impart the language of her mind.
With a becoming grace her words appear;
And, like her honest heart, are all sincere.
By custom, and example undecoy'd,
With chearful mind she keeps herself employ'd:
Each day's revolving sun her task renews;
Nor does her hand the welcome task refuse:
To that—her mind so uniformly bends;
To that, with so much constancy attends;
That morning visits (destin'd to amuse;
To talk of dress, lac'd waistcoats, and the news;
To spread the scandal of the night before;
And, that once done, prepare the way for more)
Ne'er interrupt the bus'ness of the day;
Nor by their levity her mind betray:
Much less shall rabbles, * which the sex debase,
Or routs, or * drums her character disgrace.
[Page 27]By wisdom sway'd, she thus her hours employs;
And thus employ'd, a tranquil mind enjoys:
A tranquil mind—that very far outweighs
Th' applause of crouds; and ev'r her own just praise.
Thus fame from such a course of action springs;
And bears her high upon it's rapid wings;
Thus fame, thus inward peace—so heav'n ordains—
Flows from one source, and lasting strength obtains.
Observe her now on life's advancing stage!
And now review her in maturer age!
Her virtues in a fine assemblage blend;
And tow'rds perfection uniformly tend:
In ev'ry character that she sustains.
Each virtue sways her breast; and there unrival'd reigns.
As CHILD—submissive to her parent's will;
Which, to the utmost, all her pow'rs fulfill:
To such submissive as submission claim,
Or by a parent's, or a husband's name:
Submission, not inforc'd by wrathful strife,
Is an unfailing lesson of her life:
[Page 28]A lesson, which she studies and obeys;
And which, when learnt, a duteous mind displays.
As PARENT,—watchful o'er her tender brood:
And ever aiming at their greatest good:
By nature mov'd, by ev'ry tie enjoin'd,
She forms in virtue's mould the tender mind:
She brings them early into wisdom's school,
And forms them there by wisdom's sacred rule:
Betimes she points them to the paths of truth,
And thrô life's devious road directs their youth:
Her eye the whole of their behaviour views;
And with the day it's watchful care renews:
To all it's checks—long practis'd to obey—
Their chearful minds a strict obedience pay.
Thus by her precepts, and example warm'd,
To virtuous habits are their manners form'd:
Which, fully copied from her own, engage
The unfeign'd love of ev'ry rank and age.
Now grown mature, to her regard they owe
The home-felt pleasures, which their bosoms know:
[Page 29]The home-felt joys, which,—in a length'ning train,—
Thrô life's whole course within their bosoms reign.
As MISTRESS—easy in each just command;
Her servants love her and obedient stand:
To her commands respect is always paid;
With judgment she commands and is obey'd.
Kind, good and gen'rous to the servile race;
She rules their hearts—and there her empire trace.
She speaks—her willing servants swiftly run;
She points—and instantly the thing is done:
For love, the law of love, within their breast,
Is firmly rooted; and so deep impress'd,
That what she bids them do, they do of choice;
And naught desire but her approving voice:
Her unask'd goodness to their feet gives wings,
Warmth to their love; and to their duty springs.
As FRIEND—obliging, tender and sincere:
Upon whose breast true friendship's marks appear▪
Her actions, gestures, speech and looks impart
The undissembled goodness of her heart.
[Page 30]Unitedly they all conspire to shew
That in her friendships she's sincere and true.
Thus lovely in these characters of life:
She's lovely too in character of WIFE.
A character—by graceless tongues profan'd—
Which yet, to virtue and it's habits train'd,
Includes whate'er is beautiful and good;
And raises vast delight, as soon as view'd.
In this—unrival'd all her charms appear;
And, far from fading, grow with ev'ry year:
In this, as all the rest, good-natur'd, kind;
Her manners gentle; and her love refin'd:
She feels her partner's joys; his sorrows too;
And in them all demonstrates that she's true—
True to his Int'rests; true in ev'ry trust;
True to her vows; in ev'ry promise just.
If adverse fortunes discompose his breast;
And, unremitting, all his days molest:
Fearless to her—by common int'rest join'd,
He pours his soul, and opens all his mind:
[Page 31]Her counsels, guided by her love, asswage
His rising grief, and dissipate it's rage.
If fortune's favors compass him around;
And, great as heart can wish, his wishes bound:
The bliss deriv'd from thence, however great,
Till she participates is incompleat.
Thus joy imparted, to th' imparting breast
Yields greater joy, and makes it far more blest.
Thus mutual joys their mutual love attend;
Mix with their griefs; and with their sorrows blend:
Thus mutual joys in souls like these are found;
And mutually from each to each rebound.
Supported on th' expanded wings of fame,
Her merit spreads abroad her husband's name;
Who hears, delighted with th' harmonious sound,
From ev'ry tongue her praises echo'd round;
Who, blest with such a matchless wife, shall stand
Among the happy in the foremost band.
At home observe her; there—her conduct trace;
Observe her there—adorn'd with ev'ry grace:
[Page 32]She there with dignity presides; and there
Her virtues seen, in all their charms appear:
Among her virtues prudence foremost stands;
And all her thoughts, ere brôt in act, commands.
As soon as Phoebus shoots a trembling ray,
And while night-glories in full lustre play,
She quits her bed; her house-concerns reviews;
And each domestic's proper task renews:
A frugal neatness in her dress appears,
Adapted to her station and her years:
Her family, the source of all her joys,
Her constant care, and strict regard employs:
There—elegance in each apartment reigns;
And all the marks of housewifry retains:
There—peace takes up it's residence; and there
No broils molest, no discord wounds the ear:
There—joys, as great as mortals know, reside;
And thence, diffus'd abroad, spread far and wide.
In prosp'rous days, when all around is gay;
And fortune shines with an auspicious ray:
[Page 33]Unlike her sex, she's not elate with pride;
Nor, like her sex, throws modesty aside:
But unelate, with ev'ry charm appears;
And all the marks of true politeness wears.
If fortune frowning, throws it's shafts around;
And aims to bring her level with the ground:
Above them all, at fortune's frowns she smiles;
And all it's aim at her destruction foils:
With patience arm'd, she fortune's rage shall quell;
And all it's shafts heroinely repell.
Happy the man, whose heart, as well as hand,
Is join'd with her's in wedlock's sacred band:
Happy the child, who from her womb shall spring;
And rise to age beneath her fost'ring wing:
Thrice happy both, to whom indulgent heav'n
Has such a friend with such endowments giv'n.
[Page 34]
CONSANGUINITY; or, NATURAL RELATIONS.
HUSBAND.
TAKE to thyself—obeying heav'n—a wife;
That comfort, joy and ornament of life:
Slight not the blessing, but become— thô late—
A prop, support and guardian of the state.
But fix not suddenly; consult with care,
The genius, manners, temper of the fair:
Upon thy present choice—so nature tends—
Thy future peace and happiness depends:
Not only thine, but—such th' important case—
Thine, blended with the welfare of thy race.
If, like the * fly in varying colors gay,
In dress and ornament she wastes the day;
[Page 35]If from her fav'rite glass but seldom seen,
She views herself as beauty's matchless queen;
If with her charms her soul is warmly fir'd,
And, when they're prais'd, with raptures is inspir'd;
If always loud, and talkative—her tongue;
Or always mirthful, and employ'd in song:
If wanton eyes betray her loose desires;
And in her bosom flame love's fiercest fires:
If passion, caprice, whim—her only guides,
She scorns reproof, and all advice derides:
Estrang'd from home, if ne'er at home she'll stay;
But in a round of visits spend the day:
Turn from her charms, in beauty thô they vie
With the resplendent glories of the sky:
Turn from her charms—her charms, by ev'ry art,
Betray th' unwary; and inslave the heart:
Let not thy soul, by fancy's choice insnar'd,
With such a part'ner be unequal pair'd:
To such a part'ner ty'd—so hard the lot—
You'll wish to cut the worse than gordian knot:
[Page 36]But wish in vain.—domestic comfort fled,
Succeeding ills shall circle round your head:
Succeeding ills, with ev'ry woe impress'd,
Shall seize, with unresisted force, your breast:
Domestic comfort fled; abroad you'll roam
In search of joys no longer found at home.
But vain the search.—each object that you find,
Will be discolour'd by your sick'ning mind:
Which, far from tasting joys at ev'ry source,
Will interrupt them in the common course;
Or in the common course as down they flow,
Inverting nature, change them all to woe.
Then fly her arm's embrace; and, yet unjoin'd,
Enjoy a peaceful and a tranquil mind:
Forsake her paths, and reason's voice obey:
Who tread her paths, their own true good betray.
If in the FAIR ONE virtue always trac'd,
With ev'ry female excellence be grac'd:
If, full of charms, her manners strike your sight;
And more and more, as closer view'd delight:
[Page 37]If, join'd with prudence, sense inspires her breast;
In ev'ry feature full to view express'd:
If beauty's sprightly charms adorn her face,
And, scatter'd o'er her, all her person grace:
If—heav'n propitious—you should chance to find
A woman thus endow'd, and thus refin'd;
Worthy to be thy friend, companion, wife;
Worthy thy love and confidence thrô life:
Take to thyself—therein true wisdom lies—
And whilst you may, secure the matchless prize:
Like virtue's self she brings her own reward;
And justly claims a fixt and warm regard.
Regard the fair one, to thy wishes giv'n,
As a prime blessing sent thee down from heav'n:
Let ev'ry action, and each pleasing art
Engage her love, and win her blameless heart:
In all thy conduct shew a gen'rous breast.
With evry kind affection deep impress'd:
In all thy conduct easy, calm and mild;
Not soon provok'd;—provok'd, soon reconcil'd:
[Page 38]Treat her—by love, as well as int'rest led—
As, under thee, the mistress and the head:
To her if suitable respect you shew;
And do it frequently in public view:
Your servants shall a proper def'rence pay;
And what she bids, with chearful hearts obey:
By reason's laws are all her wishes bound?
And each desire with modest freedom crown'd?
Oppose them not; but—partner in thy care—
Thy pleasures and amusements let her share:
The wish indulg'd, indulg'd each pure desire,
Within her breast shall glow love's warmest fire:
Love's warmest fire shall beam a bright'ning ray;
And all around it's purity display.
If temper, genius, education move
To lighter faults; with gentleness reprove:
Be not severe: but let an honest breast
Remind thee—thou thyself hast oft transgress'd.
Thò thine the right to rule with equal Sway;
Let not that right a rig'rous Soul betray:
[Page 39]But, mindful of her sex, it's weakness bear;
And overlook the frailty of the fair.
Commit thy secrets to her faithful breast;
Nor let an anxious thought disturb thy rest:
Her counsels, like her heart, are all sincere;
And, like her heart, all undisguis'd appear.
True to her bed, avoid a strange embrace;
Nor be * "the father of a nameless race":
The baseness of whose blood, deriv'd from thee,
Shall on thy name fix lasting infamy.
When pain and grief to pain and grief succeed;
Impair her health; and all her pow'rs impede:
Thy tender love, ev'n in the deepest woe,
Shall cause her heart with joy sincere to flow.
One look of thine, one tender look, shall stay
The rising grief; and ev'ry pain allay;
More lasting health and ease it shall impart,
Than all the nostrums of the medic art.
[Page 40]
Observe her sex; survey her frame with care;
Their strength and weakness with thine own compare:
Her frame is tender, and her sex is weak,
And less true fortitude than thine bespeak:
Her nature's weakness with compassion bear;
Nor on her imperfections be severe:
But KNOW THY SELF; investigate thy breast:
There—weakness, imperfection stand confess'd.
[Page 41]
FATHER.
CONSIDER thou! to whom the hand of heav'n,
Indulgent to thy wish, a Son has giv'n:
Consider thou! a Father now become,
The trust, th' important trust, thou hast at home.
The pretty innocent—quite helpless born—
If unassisted, wretched and forlorn—
Demands thy care, thy constant guardian care,
To screen from danger, and from ev'ry snare:
Demands thy care to feed, to cloath, to warm;
And give protection from all threat'ning harm.
See nature kindle up th' instinctive fire,
And in the mind parental love inspire:
Parental love—which sways the human breast,
By words, by actions, and by looks express'd;
[Page 42]Pure, uncorrupt, sincere, without alloy;
Display'd in sympathies of grief and joy:
A love—to human bosoms not confin'd—
Seen in the world of life, in ev'ry kind;
So deeply fix'd, so obstinately strong,
They'll hazard life to save their helpless young.
It rests on thee; on thee it rests alone,
That virtue's seeds be in his bosom sown:
Whether his future life shall useful prove,
And in a sphere of shining virtues move:
A blessing to himself—nor there confin'd—
To thee a blessing, and to all mankind:
Whether an useful member he shall be;
Or one that's worthless in society:
Who, blind to virtue, deaf to honor's call,
Will into vice, and ev'ry meanness fall;
A burthen to himself, and—which is worse—
A plague to thee, and to mankind a curse.
Observe the bent and genius of his mind;
To what it's equal, and to what inclin'd:
[Page 43]To arts and science if his genius bend,
And all their depths attempt to comprehend:
Betimes implant the scientific seed;
And, what you plant, with streams refreshing feed:
If shoot th' implanted seed, manure the soil;
And on the tender shoot vouchsafe a smile:
A smile from thee will emulation fire;
And in his breast an ardent love inspire—
A love of science,—which can joys dispense,
Superior far to those perceiv'd by sense;
A love of science,—which improves the mind,
And elevates the heart with truths refin'd:
A love of science, and each sister art▪
Which growing pleasures to the mind impart:
A love of thee—whose smiles inspir'd his breast,
And set on work th' ambition there impress'd.
Improve the soil: the soil belongs to thee:
And a rich crop of what is sown you'll see.
Prepare his mind, while soft, in early youth,
To love instruction, and to relish truth:
[Page 44]The tender mind let your example form;
And virtue's precepts his soft bosom warm:
Let no bad language from his lips proceed;
Nor from his hand the least injurious deed:
Check ev'ry faulty habit that appears;
Nor let it strengthen with his rip'ning years:
Point him, while yet the paths of vice untrod,
To virtue's road, which is the road to GOD.
Then, like a cedar of stupendous size,
In spite of opposition he shall rise—
Shall rise aloft to fame's sublimest height,
On pinions equal to th' advent'rous flight:
Shall, like a cedar on a mountain's head,
O'er all around a grateful shadow spread:
A safe retreat from rising tempests form;
And sure protection from the gath'ring storm:
From Phoebus' beam, from Phoebus' scorching ray,
A shelt'ring arm o'er all around display.
A vicious son, a son devoid of shame,
Who spurns at virtue, and it's sacred name;
[Page 45]Who shuns with caution, ev'n in early youth,
The pleasing paths that lead to heav'n-born truth;
Who takes delight in each flagitious deed,
And runs with eagerness where vice will lead:
Shall wound, shall deeply wound, his father's breast;
And all his joys, thô pure before, molest.
But HE, who reason's sacred laws obeys;
And to it's voice a strict obedience pays:
Who follows virtue in it's roughest road,
And where it dwells takes up his fix'd abode;
Whom vice, with all it's fund of soft'ning charms,
Can ne'er allure to it's destructive arms;
Who bends to truth, and to it's sacred nod,
And treads the paths his virtuous father trod:
Shall round his hoary locks a glory spread;
And in his breast a joy long-lasting shed.
Instruct your Son, while to instruction prone;
And let instruction's seed be early sown:
Teach him his Duty in his tender age;
And all his pow'rs to practice it engage:
[Page 46]Teach him submission where 'tis justly due,
To heav'n, the civil magistrate, and you:
Submissive manners will endear his name;
And, when blame-worthy, oft secure from blame.
Taught to be modest, modesty shall shed
A lustre round him, and adorn his head.
Taught to be grateful, gratitude shall raise
Assisting friendships in a thousand ways.
Taught to be temp'rate—in his cheek appears
The bloom of youth ev'n in advancing years.
Teach charity—and charity shall gain
The love of others, and that love maintain.
Teach prudence—and her smiles shall fortune lend;
Her favors too, while prudence guides, shall send.
Teach justice in his dealings with mankind,
And press it home upon his youthful mind:
Justice, which o'er the virtues reigns as queen,
In all his conduct, in each action seen—
Shall raise his credit, far extend his fame;
And—when no more—will long embalm his name.
[Page 47]Teach him sincerity: 'twill free his heart
From self-reproach, and inward peace impart.
Teach him industry: and his wealth, thô low,
Shall soon increase; and from all quarters flow.
Teach him that god-like virtue, not confin'd
To names or sects, benevolence of mind:
Benevolence indulg'd exalts the soul,
And makes it's joys in streams unclouded roll.
Teach him true science: science fills the mind
With noble images, and truths refin'd;
In great designs will fit him to engage;
And with applause to tread life's public stage.
Teach him religion—rational, and free
From formal stifness, and vain pageantry:
Religion purifies the heart, exalts the mind,
Makes it to virtue, and it's paths inclin'd;
And, when the soul shall drop th' impris'ning clay,
Shall waft it to the realms of endless day.
Thus taught by thee—around thy hoary head,
From him deri [...]'d shall circling glory spread:
[Page 48]Thus taught by thee—thy name, with honor crown'd,
Shall ev'ry tongue with praises echo round;
Till faln asleep in undisturb'd repose,
Resign'd to heav'n—the present scene you close.
[Page 49]
SON.
LOOK round, and all the works of God discern;
Survey his creatures, and true wisdom learn:
Th' instructive lesson to your mind apply'd,
Be there impress'd, and all it's motions guide.
Go range the desart till the stork you find—
A fit example to instruct mankind—
See on his Wings, mov'd by th' instinctive fire,
He bears, worn out with age, his feeble sire:
Aloft he bears him to a mountain's head;
And aids him there till number'd with the dead.
With ev'ry tender sentiment impress'd,
Let his example warm your youthful breast:
Th' instructive precept thence deriv'd obey.
And in thy conduct let it always sway:
[Page 50]Support thy father when bow'd down with age,
And chear his heart in life's declining stage:
Support him; and extend a guardian arm
To shield his hoary head from ev'ry harm:
Till down to rest, exhausted and decay'd,
His weary limbs—resign'd to heav'n—are laid.
Sweeter than incense-odours, that arise
From Persia's altars, and perfume the skies;
Far sweeter than the spicy gales that blow
From India's shoar, and all it's fragrance know;
Sweeter than these, with sweets of roses join'd—
Sweeter than these, with ev'ry sweet combin'd—
Is love—the love that sways the filial breast,
With ev'ry mark of reverence impress'd.
For him,—from whose rejoicing loins you sprung—
For her,—upon whose fost'ring breasts you hung,—
Let gratitude kind sentiments inspire;
And in thy breast excite love's gen'rous fire:
To their instructions lend a willing ear;
And all thy conduct by their precepts steer.
[Page 51]From love, which o'er you spreads it's friendly wing,
Their precepts and instruction always spring:
Observ'd th' instruction, and it's voice obey'd;
And due respect to all their precepts paid;
Within thy breast shall true contentment reign,
And undisturb'd it's easy sway maintain;
Joys unaffected shall thy bosom swell,
And there—still growing—with contentment dwell.
Thy infancy all-helpless call to mind,
Expos'd to num'rous ills of ev'ry kind;
Recall to mind—when young how frow'rd thou wert,
Thò bless'd with all things parents could impart;
Recall to mind—how in your tender age,
Your happiness did all their thôts engage;
By virtue's precepts how they form'd your mind,
And your best good, in all they did, design'd;
Then sway'd by duty, and a love sincere,
Due honor pay them, and their age revere:
When helpless grown, when silver'd o'er by age,
And ready to forsake this mortal stage;
[Page 52]Allay their grief as languishing they lie,
And all their wants thy filial hand supply:
Thy filial hand, as now declines their day,
Their former love and goodness should repay;
Should strive to ease their pains, asswage their grief,
And, to it's utmost pow'r, afford relief;
Till in the grave—the debt of nature paid—
In silence undisturb'd their hoary heads are laid.
Thy children thus, by thy example led,
When age comes on, and life's best joys are fled,
Shall in their breasts feel duty's pow'rful sway,
And all thy filial love with love repay;
Shall chear thy heart, with pains and ills oppress'd,
Or—chearless—heave a sympathizing breast;
Shall feel your joys and sorrows as their own;
And smiles return to smiles, to groans a groan:
Till nature spent—till spent the vital flame,
Your deathless part forsakes it's mortal frame.
[Page 53]
BROTHERS.
YE all proceeded from one common head;
One stock ye sprang from; by one stock are fed:
To the same breast, with nect'rous juices flow'd,
Your first support, and vital heat ye ow'd.
Let mutual love just confidence inspire;
And kindle in each breast it's purest fire:
Let peace within your father's mansions dwell;
And ev'ry passion's lawless transports quell:
Ne'er let fell malice, harbour'd in your breast,
Corrode it's joys, and all it's peace molest;
Ne'er let it—sway'd by nature's sacred ties—
With brutal rage against a brother rise.
As soon as enter'd on life's busy stage,
Let mutual love a mutual help engage:
In each good office let your love abound;
And with an honesty unfeign'd be crown'd.
[Page 54]When bus'ness calls, when op'ning scenes demand
A lasting absence in a distant land;
Thô separated long, ne'er thoughtless prove
[...] your relation, once indear'd by love.
[...] love fraternal, undisguis'd by art,
[...] in your breast, and warm a gen'rous heart:
[...] let it dwell; there—uncontrol'd—maintain
[...] proper sway; and there forever reign.
Sway'd by a just regard to kindred-blood,
Prefer a brother's to a stranger's good:
A brother's to a stranger's good prefer;
Thô in his conduct he may sometimes err.
When adverse fortune unrelenting reigns;
And all the sources of true pleasure drains:
Desert him not; your ready succour lend;
And, thô the world forsake, be thou his friend:
Be thou his friend; th' assistance needed yield,
Till all the wounds, by fortune giv'n, are heal'd.
Thy love—diffusive—let thy sister share;
And she too; be the object of your care:
[Page 55]When fortune's rage her tender bosom wounds,
Exhausts her strength, and ev'ry joy confounds:
Reach out with chearfulness a helping hand;
And o'er her woes compassion's wings expand.
Thy father thus, thrô thee shall yet embrace
His once-lov'd offspring, and his num'rous race:
Thrô thee—when they're distress'd—shall give relief;
Supply their wants; and silence all their grief:
And thus thrô thee a father's care renew'd,
Shall meet returns of love and gratitude.
[Page 56]
PROVIDENCE, or the ACCIDENTAL DIFFERENCES OF MEN.
SECTION I. WISE and IGNORANT.
TO favor'd man is understanding giv'n—
The noblest gift that e'er came down from heav'n—
Dispens'd in such proportions to mankind,
As pleas'd the wisdom of the sov'reign mind?
Hath bounteous heav'n, expressive of it's love,
Endow'd thy mind with reason from above?
On thee, with lib'ral hand, hath heav'n bestow'd
A mind, wherein true wisdom takes abode?
Dispell'd the mists in which involv'd it lay?
And giv'n it light by truth's enlight'ning ray?
[Page 57]The heav'nly blessing, not to self confin'd,
Dispense to all around—to all mankind:
Instruct them in the truths they ought to know;
And from your lips let wisdom's precepts flow:
Upon your tongue let wisdom's precepts dwell,
And all the darkness of their minds expell.
A noble joy true wisdom will impart;
And with just sentiments inspire the heart:
'Twill yield a lasting pleasure to the mind;
And, as it grows, give pleasures more refin'd:
'Twill open wide—'twill wide dilate the breast;
And make it's joys to all around confess'd
Thus, taught by thee—by thy instructions mov'd,
Their wisdom and their joys will be improv'd:
Their wisdom and their joys will grow with age;
And sweeten life, ev'n in it's latest stage.
If all restraint your daring soul derides,
And, wing'd with genius, mounts where science guides;
If, on the wings of genius born, you soar,
And nobly aim at heights unken'd before;
[Page 58]The wise, well pleas'd to see your early youth
Employ'd in science, and the search of truth,
Will view your genius with complacent eyes;
And, fill'd with raptures, hail you as you rise:
Will feel their breasts—by emulation fir'd—
With growing zeal for equal fame inspir'd;
And, charm'd—transported at th' inspiring sight,
Will strive to rival your all-glorious flight.
Observe now folly; and true wisdom view:
Wisdom is least presuming of the two.
See wisdom's son the voice of reason hears
And truth as truth, where'er 'tis found, reveres:
But in the search—so weak is reason's ray—
Doubts oft arise, and long perplex his way:
Ev'n doubts arise in things he once thôt true;
And old opinions make him change for new.
But mark the fool; who, obstinate and blind,
Admits no doubts to discompose his mind.
Heady—self-will'd—tenacious to the last,
His first opinion, right or wrong, holds fast:
[Page 59]Once in opinion fix'd, he fix'd abides;
Whim, humour, caprice, chance—his only guides—
And, thò consummate folly on his breast,
In lasting characters is deep impress'd,
Thinks ev'ry change of sentiment displays
Folly's plain marks, and all it's signs betrays:
Yet knows not that he's ignorant and blind;
The butt of ridicule for all mankind.
Observe how vain—how empty he appears!
Folly and pride grow faster than his years:
When pride and folly in one person meet,
Pride renders folly but the more complete.
His words unnumber'd flow; and, naught but sound,
Oppress the hearer, and all sense confound:
If sounding words a want of sense betray;
Sound but the further will that want convey.
Ev'n trifles light as air inspire his breast,
And [...] raise, by ev'ry sign express'd.
He boasts—and boasts his worthlesness proclaim—
He boasts in trifles a superior name:
[Page 60]But ignorance in ev'ry thing betrays,
That's worthy to be known, or worthy praise:
In these—a willing ignorance can claim
Nothing but infamy and lasting shame.
In wisdom's path—if there he chance to tread—
By folly's hand, ev'n there, he will be led:
Folly shall disappoint his views and aim;
And all his actions recompense with shame.
He thinks—with folly's spreading laurel crown'd—
That he can all the depths of learning sound;
Can soar aloft on an unpractic'd wing,
And at one draught exhausts the muses' spring;
Can pierce thrô nature, and her course survey;
And all the laws by which she acts display.
Thus fancied wisdom in each look express'd,
Debarring what is real from his breast,
Plays round his heart in transports of delight;
And does from brother-fools applause excite:
Thus self-applause with joy his bosom fires;
And ev'ry fool to raise it more conspires.
[Page 61]
Observe now wisdom's son—by wisdom taught,
He grows in learning, and improves in thought:
He strives by ev'ry help t' improve his mind,
In useful knowledge, and in arts refin'd:
The arts improve, and by his hand improve;
And with swift progress tow'rds perfection move:
T'improve the arts he labors night and day;
And all the arts their brilliant charms display.
Pleas'd with the sight, his country's eye beholds,
How science opens, and each art unfolds—
Such arts—such science, as will useful prove;
And fit her sons in spheres enlarg'd to move.
His country views him as her noblest friend;
And on his head her honors shall descend:
To worth so great, her gratitude shall raise
A monument, proportion'd to his praise—
To future ages to transmit his fame;
And, while time lasts, to celebrate his name.
Thô arts and lit'rature his bosom fire;
And in his breast the noblest joys inspire:
[Page 62]Yet heav'n-born virtue bears the sov'reign sway;
And guides his steps by her enlight'ning ray:
With nobler joys can elevate his mind,
Than arts and lit'rature, howe'er refin'd;
Can brighter lustre round his temples shed,
Than arts can furnish, or than science spread;
And shall the prize at which he aims, secure—
Ev'n happiness that science can't insure.
Both arts and science virtue far excells;
For happiness in virtue only dwells;
To virtue's paths true wisdom's footsteps lead,
And bless'd are they who in those paths proceed.
Hath heav'n, above the level of mankind,
With elevated sense endow'd thy mind?
That high on reason's pinions it can soar;
And ancient wisdom to it's source explore?
Let pride, if e'er it rises, be depress'd;
Nor once usurp the empire of thy breast:
For human wisdom, howsoe'er refin'd,
Is all but folly to a brighter mind:
[Page 63]To brighter minds, that move in nobler spheres,
'Tis all a phantom—all a dream appears.
The man that's wise; that his own weakness knows;
And sees, from thence how imperfection flows;
Will ne'er let insolence his virtue stain,
Nor earth-born pride within his bosom reign:
Adorn'd with virtue and an humble mind,
He sees his faults; to no gross failing blind:
Adorn'd with sense, with each endowment bless'd,
He sees much imperfection in the best;
But modesty, which all his conduct guides.
From all around that imperfection hides.
All-graceful see his modesty appear!
In private charm, and charm in ev'ry sphere!
By wisdom's laws his actions are refin'd;
And he approves them first, and then mankind.
To virtue form'd, by heav'n-born virtue crown'd,
His actions speak his happiness around:
True happiness in virtue's garden grows;
From virtue as it's source, it copious flows:
[Page 64]It flows to all who virtue's voice obey;
And due regard to all her dictates pay.
Virtue, when time shall cease and be no more,
Shall land her vot'ries on some happier shore;
Who, drinking deeply at the fount of truth,
Shall there all flourish in immortal youth:
Shall taste the joys that virtue can impart;
Joys, equal to the wishes of the heart—
Unrival'd—lasting—free from alloy;
That fill the mind, and all it's pow'rs employ.
[Page 65]
SECTION II. MAGISTRATES AND SUBJECTS.
O THOU! whom mortals with a bounteous hand,
Have rais'd to empire and supreme command:
Whom mortals, guided by a heav'nly ray,
Have giv'n the pow'r to rule with sov'reign sway,
Consider thou! distinguish'd thus by heav'n,
The end for which the sov'reign pow'r was giv'n:
Consider too—to thy engagement just—
The great—the vast importance of the trust:
Let that more strongly influence thy mind,
Than absolute dominion o'er mankind:
Let that, in lasting characters impress'd,
In ev'ry action sway your princely breast.
In regal purple gloriously array'd—
In all the robes of royalty display'd,—
[Page 66]The crown of majesty invests thy head;
And earth's first glories round thy temples spread:
Thy hand—of sov'reign pow'r the scepter sways;
And far and wide the sov'reign pow'r displays:
All these and their supporting base—the throne.
Thy equals have confer'd; and they alone:
The robe, crown, scepter, throne—thy people brir.
The royal ensigns that distinguish kings.
But for what purpose were these ensigns giv'n?—
Thy people's gift, consented to by heav'n:—
Why cloath'd with purple;—plac'd upon the throne;
Why sway the scepter; and why wear the crown
Not for thy own—but for the public good:
On which true patriot-pow'r has always stood.
Be thou a patriot-king—not swoln with pride;
Not sway'd by passion; nor to vice allied:
The public good, now trusted in your hands,
Your time, your talents and your ALL demands
At this great end in ev'ry action aim;
On this foundation raise a lasting fame:
[Page 67]Like Phoebus, chearing nature with his beams,
Spread happiness around in copious streams.
Glory, the first and last pursuit of kings,
From public good, as from it's fountain, springs:
The glory▪ flowing from that source, be thine;
And real glory round thy head shall shine:
Be thy dominion to that end apply'd;
Let that alone in ev'ry action guide;
And all thy subjects, to thy int'rests true,
Thò claimants rise, will own no king but you:
Thy subjects, happy made by thee, around
Shall all the glory of thy reign resourd.
A prince, on whom kind nature has bestow'd,
A soul with princely qualities endow'd
Employs his mind on subjects nobly great.
Connected with the welfare of the state;
Forsakes his pillow at an early hour,
And seeks for bus'ness worthy of his pow'r.
He moves with dignity—unaw'd by [...]—
And shines unrival'd in th' exalted sphere:
[Page 68]Th' exalted sphere dilates his princely mind;
And fits him more and more to bless mankind.
Deep-vers'd in human nature and it's frame,
He sees at what mankind in gen'ral aim—
At honor—wealth—preferment's lofty seat—
For which the great contend with rival-heat.
He quick discovers by his piercing eye,
Their temper, genius, and ability:
To each, in just proportion to his worth,
Not solely from regard to rank or birth—
To each—as in the noble strife they glow—
Will honors grant, or largesses bestow
True merit, which alone attracts his praise.
To just preferment he will always raise.
He calls together, for his kingdom's good,
The wise and great; thô not of noble blood:
Consults them freely as his surest guides;
And by their counsels—wise and good—abides.
[Page 69]His magistrates, whom fear can ne'er degrade,
With vigor act; by justice always sway'd.
His ministers are wise: and greatly aim
To raise the glory of his realm and name:
They're wisdom's sons, for wisdom long renown'd;
And spread the blessings of his reign around:
These are his bosom-fav'rites; these—his friends;
On whose advice his cautious soul depends.
The social hour— when state-affairs permit—
Indulg'd with men of genius—learning—wit,
Delights his mind, fatigue'd by public cares;
And to his breast joy's healing balsam bears:
Their genius, learning, wit—with his conspire
To rouse their breasts by emulation's fire.
They all, ambitious of a growing fame,
Like rivals strive for the superior name:
Their labors with his own concur to raise,
His kingdom's glory and it's sov'reign's praise.
[Page 70]
The arts, encourag'd by his royal smile,
Spring up and thrive, thô barren be the soil:
Science, which from the mind all clouds removes,
Beneath the culture of his hand improves:
The arts and Science, by his bounty fed,
With dignity erect a chearful head;
And all around, in large and copious streams,
Dispense their light, and gladden with their beams.
The merchant, gath'ring wealth in copious stores.
Extends his commerce to the furthest shores
The frugal [...], by his constant toil,
Subdues and meliorates the stubborn soil:
The artist, bless'd with an inventive mind,
Employs it in the service of mankind:
The scholar, whom a sprightly genius fires,
Improves the arts; and lasting fame acquires.
All these—thô private int'rest be their aim—
Advance their country's good, and sov'reign's fame:
They each his royal approbation share;
And each the tokens of his favor bear.
[Page 71]
At his command—his subjects emigrate,
And lay the ground-work of a rising state:—
Fleets spread the sea to guard his kingdom's trade;
Keep off invasion; and, in turn, invade:—
Deep rivers op'ning, on their tide convey,
Far within land, the treasures of the sea:—
New harbours wide extend a circling arm,
To check the tempest; and ward off the storm.
His realms, with happiness and plenty crown'd,
Increase in commerce; and in wealth abound:
Increase in strength; and by their strength secure
Interior peace; and peace abroad insure.
He frames wise laws to regulate mankind;
Whose source in equity and truth they find:
While such their source, his subjects joyful see
Their rights secure; secure their property:
The law, on which their happiness depends,
Chastizes vice; and virtue's cause defends.
[Page 72]Mercy's kind principles inspire his breast:
And, when they fitly may, are all express'd:
But rig'rous justice hardned vice attends;
And on its head in vengeance due descends.
To him, the poor—when injur'd and oppress'd—
Heave the big sigh; and ease their lab'ring breast:
He hears their plaints; compassionates their case;
And wipes the falling tear from ev'ry face:
The base oppression loud for vengeance calls;
And on th' oppressor's head his vengeance falls.
Thus bless'd, the people to their prince repair
T' express their love for his paternal care;
And, as the guardian of their rights and laws,
With one consent to yield him their applause.
Their kind regard his royal bosom warms;
And there—tow'rds them—a like affection forms.
A love reciprocal in both obtains;
And with it's years increasing vigor gains.
[Page 73]Their happiness—the subject of his prayer—
Engrosses all his time, his thoughts and care;
And, in a just connection with his own,
A bright'ning lustre spreads around his throne.
Against his government,—just, good, and wise,—
No disaffection, no complaints arise:
Founded on justice, and his subjects' love,
No foes disturb it; or can hope to move:
Their machinations, and unpurchas'd hate
Disturb him not; nor e'er molest the state.
True to their prince, the guardian of their laws.
And uniformly steady in his cause,
His subjects to defend him draw the sword;
Expose their persons; and their wealth unhoard:
Firm and unshaken, in a dauntless band,
They drive invasion from the happy land:
Th' invading foe, like chaff before the wind,
Before them fly; and leave no trace behind.
At home—abroad—from all annoyance freed,
His happy subjects, bless'd with peace, succeed:
[Page 74]And HE, the darling of the human race.
Endow'd with virtue, and each princely grace—
With home-felt joy the regal scepter sways;
While circling crouds resound his matchless praise:
While circling crouds, by him supremely bless'd.
Deep-rooted feel his empire in their breast:
And, loud proclaiming his all-righteous sway,
Th' increasing glories of his reign display.
[Page 75]
RELIGION.
THIS sacred truth fix deeply in your mind,
And spread it far and wide amongst mankind;
THAT THERE'S A GOD,—to whom this spacious earth,
And universal nature owe their birth;
Who rules th' unnumber'd worlds that round us roll;
Whose sov'reignty extends from pole to pole;
Whose pow'r is boundless; whose duration flows
Co-eval with eternity:—who knows
His character—thô men and angels join'd—
Unsearchable by any finite mind.
There's naught that human eye hath seen can claim
To be the GOD, who [...] frame:
[Page 76]The sun—the glorious regent of the day—
Which chears the world with it's enlight'ning ray:
Whose genial heat invigorates the earth,
And gives it's various fruits a ready birth;
This glorious sun—the creature of his hand—
Bestows it's blessings but at his command:
This noble image of THE POW'R-SUPREME
Of whose essulgence 'tis a glorious beam—
May raise thy admiration, and no more:
But ne'er bow down, nor at it's shrine adore.
To GOD supremely good, supremely wise.
In whom—it's boundless source—perfection lies;
To GOD, and GOD alone, both praise and song.
And ev'ry act of worship do belong:
To GOD—who spread heav'n's glorious arch around
And taught each star to know it's circling bound:
Who says—when ocean roars—I'll be obey'd;
And here shall thy insulting waves be staid:
Who, storms and tempests by a word a controls,
When in their fury they'd invert the poles:
[Page 77]Who shakes the earth with his almighty hand;
And all aghast the trembling nations stand:
Who darts his lightnings flash on flash around;
And virtue's foes fall prostrate to the ground:
Who smiles; and joyous—world springs forth on world:
Who frowns; and into ruin strait they're hurl'd.
O! venerate TH' OMNIPOTENT—adore
The world's great sov'reign, and his love implore:
Secure his love, ere time absorbs thy breath;
And fly his anger, which is worse than death.
At his creative word—at his command—
Nature sprung forth all-glorious from his hand:
To guide whose course his sov'reign will ordain'd
Long—long ere nature had existence gain'd,
Laws suited to each being's proper kind;
Laws that declare their author's boundless mind;
So varied in each species, that they raise
Our highest wonder, and transcend our praise.
[Page 78]Thus form'd—see nature to his sov'reign will
Obedience pay, and all his laws fulfill:
See her, observant of his awful nod,
Thrô all her vast extent declare him GOD.
In the recesses of HIS boundless mind,
All knowledge HE revolves, quite unconfin'd:
The secrets of futurity do lie,
As present open to his piercing eye;
The heart's profoundest thôt to him unfolds,
And all it's deep resolves his eye beholds;
It's deep resolves, from mortal sight conceal'd,
To his all-searching eye are all reveal'd:
It's deep resolves, ev'n whilst unform'd they lay,
Were seen by him as in the blaze of day.
His prescience, which all human search confounds,
Extends to all events, and knows no bounds
O'er all his works his providence presides,
Sustains all nature and all nature guides.
In all his ways how wond'rous he appears!
His counsels are as searchless as his years:
[Page 79]The manner of his knowledge, yet unken'd,
Does th' utmost stretch of human thôt transcend.
In goodness, as in wisdom, HE'S supreme:
Behold all nature with his goodness teem!
Survey his works—in them his goodness view:
Conspicuous are his works; his goodness too.
This nether world, and worlds that roll above,
Has HE not form'd in mercy and in love?
This nether world, and all the worlds around
His goodness own; and with his love are crown'd.
Their various creatures all abroad declare,
His varied goodness and unceasing care:
On each such properties his hand bestows,
To each his goodness in such channels flows,
As best are suited to it's different kind;
And best may answer what his will design'd.
HE bids successive generations rise;
And all their joys his bounteous hand supplies:
In all their joys they speak his matchless praise;
And each, that can, a grateful voice should raise.
[Page 80]
HE'S the great head, the centre, and the spring
Of ev'ry excellence—perfection—thing.
See justice, goodness, truth—in him combine!
In him unrival'd each perfection shine!
They all conspiring blend their matchless rays;
And all around in one bright glory blaze.
All beings own him LORD—let all admire
His glorious name; and in his praise conspire:
All beings own his just and pow'rful sway;
And, humbly prostrate, should their homage pay.
Revere his name: in grateful anthems raise,
Both heart and voice in your creator's praise:
Bow down before him: strict obedience pay
To HIM—whom angels and all worlds obey:
To HIM—who plan'd the world's stupendous frame:
Who said—"EXIST"; and strait from naught it came:
To HIM—whose wisdom, seen in nature's race,
Unrival'd beauty sheds o'er nature's face:
Whose wisdom sure as nature's self abides;
Directs it's course; and all it's motions guides.
[Page 81]
To heav'n's extended arch direct your view;
The glorious scene thrò all it's parts pursue.
See Phoebus mount—the lofty summit gain!
And see him hast'ning to the western main!
See full orb'd Cynthia in succession rise;
And chear with borrow'd rays the midnight skies!
See fires unnumber'd all enkindling round;
And heav'n irradiate to it's utmost bound!
Then own, where'er this glorious scene's survey'd,
The glory of TH' ALMIGHTY-POWER display'd.
View next an humbler scene—the earth next view;
It's hills and vales, woods, fields and rivers too:
The hills with joy erect their tow'ring heads;
The laughing vales spread wide their fruitful beds;
The fields and neighb'ring woods in concert sing,
And gratefully their annual tributes bring;
The rivers, as they wind their banks along,
In ev'ry murmur join the gen'ral song:
With one conspiring voice they all declare
That GOD is good—that all his goodness share.
[Page 82]
Extend your view—the world of life look o'er;
Survey each species, and their pow'rs explore:
On each th' indulgent hand of heav'n bestow'd
The pow'rs adapted to it's proper good:
But rais'd above the rest see human kind,
Distinguish'd far with nobler pow'rs of mind!
See man! the head of low'r creation made,
Acknowledg'd sov'reign, and as chief obey'd;
Bless'd with the pow'rs of reason to maintain
The sov'reignty he holds, and wide domain;
Endow'd with language to diffuse around
The sweets that from society redound;
Whose mind, exalted with superior pow'rs,
Can contemplate—as fly the swift-wing'd hours—
The matchless character of GOD; and raise,
In ceaseless songs, the great creator's praise.
To regulate thy conduct—form thy mind,
Has HE not laws ordain'd most good and kind?
So wisely fitted to thy nature's frame,
So suited to thy being's end and aim,
[Page 83]That firm obedience paid them will secure
Contentment here, and future joys ensure.
O praise HIS name, to whom all praise belongs;
His boundless goodness praise with grateful songs:
His wond'rous love thy warmest love engage:
His wond'rous love to man in ev'ry age.
Thy chearful heart—while no base thóts intrude,
Be all inspir'd with joy and gratitude:
Thy lips declare in all his praise that joy;
And in his worship find a lov'd employ:
Thy voice—all grateful—in harmonious lays,
Be oft employ'd to sing your MAKER'S praise:
Let ev'ry action of thy life proclaim
The highest rev'rence for his sacred name:
Let heart, lips, voice—with all thy pow'rs combine;
And in his praise with rais'd devotion join.
HE'S just; and will abroad his justice shew:
HE'S right; and will in righteousness review
[Page 84]The moral world: to which—as judge supreme,
Whose judgments flow in an unclouded stream—
He'll round dispense—at all that world shall own—
Impartial justice from his lofty throne.
In all the laws HIS boundless wisdom frames,
At the creation's greatest good HE aims:
To check that good if any boldly dare,
The bold offence shall his resentment share.
Think not, because thy punishment's delay'd,
The strength of GOD'S almighty arm decay'd;
Nor hope—if to such madness hope can drive—
At one base action that he'll e'er connive.
HIS eye thrò secrets of the closest hearts,
As lightning pierces, and as lightning darts;
Before him—thô conceal'd from mortal eye—
They're all display'd; they all uncover'd lie.
The persons, and the stations of mankind,
From him no notice, no regard shall find.
[Page 85]The sov'reign prince, who rules without control.
Whose empire reaches to the farthest pole;
The humble peasant—scorn'd by slaves of slaves—
Whose head from show'rs a lonely cottage saves;
The rich, whose tables sumptuously are spread;
The poor, who scarcely get their daily bread;
The wise, who can all science comprehend,
Can soar to heav'n, to earth's abyss descend;
The fool, who that he's human, hardly knows.
Who, like a plant, just where he's foster'd, grows:
Shall ALL—when their etherial part is flown;
And chang'd this mortal state for one unknown —
Shall ALL receive from GOD'S almighty hand
A doom—that on impartial truth shall stand
A retribution—lasting as his throne;
Proportion'd to their works, and them alone.
Then all the wicked, by their crimes oppress'd,
Trembling, shall heave an agonizing breast,
And dread the doom, that does those crimes await:
A doom severe as their offences great
[Page 86]But see! the just, of an unsullied name;
Whose works a shining character proclaim,
With hearts elate with joy, shall fearless stand;
And see strict justice dealt by his impartial hand.
Will HE impartially thus judge the world?
And from his blissful presence vice be hurl'd?
Then fear TH' ALL-WISE thrò life's uncertain day;
And HIS commands with all your soul obey.
Let heav'n-born virtue all your actions guide;
And let her voice without control decide.
To prudence, when she dictates, lend an ear;
And what she bids—as heav'n's command revere:
Let temp'rance, fraught with untumultuous joy,
Correct your passions, and their rage destroy:
Your commerce with mankind let justice sway,
And in her equal seales your actions weigh:
Let love, to human-kind around express'd,
Enlarge your heart, and warm a gen'rous breast:
Let gratitude, to heav'n supremely due
[...] all that bliss the circling years renew,
[Page 87]Your soul in transports of devotion fire,
And songs of praise to heav'n's great king inspire.
These virtues in the present state shall yield
A happiness too great to be conceal'd;
And in the next, a bliss of nobler kind,
Vast as thy wish, and as thy soul refin'd:
Shall bear thee to the realms of endless day,
Where GOD in glory shall himself display.
This—this is life's oeconomy—obey
It's precepts, which direct to heav'n the way:
Be ev'ry virtue thine, and ev'ry grace;
And dare to run in virtue's glorious race:
Then * undismay'd, thò earth's foundations shake;
Thô nature frightned to her center quake;
Thô being rush on being, world on world,
And into one vast ruin be all hurl'd:
[Page 88]Unstain'd thy virtue, and thy GOD obey'd,
You'll view the mighty ruin undismay'd;
On virtue's pinions born, to heav'n shall soar,
And, fill'd with rapt'rous joys, thy GOD adore.