Dragg'd without mercy from her husband's breast, And the sweet babes they mutually caress'd, His brethren's evil, God intends for good, To teach us what our blessed Lord requir'd, Those heavenly doctrines have a liberal aim, Our blessed Lord descended to unbind Those chains of darkness which enslave the mind; To cure us of our selfishness and pride : N LUCINDA. THROUGH shady groves, and flow'ry greens, By purling brooks-sweet sylvan scenes, Lucinda bends her way; Her mind still lovelier than her face; There's none so fair as she. Softness and truth together join, The VIRTUES all this maid befriend; First gentle PITY leads the way; She views the world around; Objects of mis'ry strike the sight; BENEV'LENCE with extensive heart Views the whole world, and in each part Both black and white do love enjoy; A gen'rous horror fills her mind, Next MODESTY, quite free from art, She has her centre in the mind, HUMILITY doth sweetly shine; Next, RESIGNATION-happy breast, 'Tis thine to soften human woes; From thee a healing balsam flows, At last fair PIETY appears; A robe of spotless white she wears, She takes her station in the breast, MILA. MISTAKEN youth, in charity forbear; And blast her beauty with the breath of praise; For be assur'd, she's little more at best Than a dull sod in splendid posies drest. Did you e'er see that lily hand convey A kind relief to helpless poverty ? Did you e'er see those brilliant eyes express A soft concern for virtue in distress? |