BLEST with a spotless heart, a judgment clear,
Tho' learned humble, tho' polite sincere ;
Chearful as sprightly youth, discreet and sage
As deep discerning, all experienc'd age;
Tender and soft as woman ought to be,
And yet from ev'ry female weakness free;
Her soul adorn'd with native strength of thought,
And with each elegant refinement fraught.
Her piety a principle divine,
Which does in living, active goodness shine,
No rigid melancholy aspect wears,
But drest in smiles, its genuine garb, appears.
How sweetly she exerts her utmost pow'rs,
To gild an aged parent's joyless hours,
Tries with endearing heart to soothe her pains!
And bless declining worn-out life's remains:
Such Delia is, oh! be she ever blest!
But blest she must be, her applauding breast,
That pleasing source of ev'ry new delight,
Will brighten weeping sorrow's dismal night,
Or the dull fanguid bed of sickness cheer,
Soften each pang, and tranquillize each fear.
A SOUL enlarg'd, above each selfish aim,
Which soars to loftier views than mortal fame ;
In whom the various sciences unite,
To beam with soften'd, and instructive light;
The Saint, and the Philosopher combine,
And all Religion's mildest beauties shine.
While from his lips, fair truth and knowledge flow,
Too great, too wise, for learned pomp, and show,
-We see the Christian's unassuming grace,
Adorn his manners, stampt upon his face.
The warm diffusive love of human kind,
Sweetens, expands, and elevates his mind.
He can with noble scorn of baseness glow,
Yet melt with pity for another's woe.
A faithful pattern of his heav'nly Lord,
At once he teaches, practises his Word.
The man, the preacher, both conspire to prove, 10 The Gospel breathes Benevolence, and Love.
THOU child of painting's mimic pencil go,
A well known face to dear Alicia shew,
And could thy lips by magic influence move,
Thou should'st declare my cordial friendly love.
Tho' not encircled with the diamond's blaze,
The glowing ruby, or the em'rald's rays,
I know to souls like her's, a faithful friend
Does all luxurious grandeur's gems transcend,
And she the humble gift will fondly prize,
That holds a friend's resemblance to her eyes.
Oh! may it call our social hours to mind,
Revive each pleasing trace they left behind;
While faithful images of past delight,
Rise in succession to her mental sight;
Our winter ev'nings rational, and gay,
Which converse, books, so sweetly stole away;
When fair historic Truth enlarg❜d our views,
Or tun'd to rapture by the heav'nly muse,
We tasted pleasures only friendship knows,
Beyond whate'er from dissipation flows.
And sure my friend's affection will suggest,
The same fond ardent wish which warms my breast,
That we may shortly meet, and Friendship's pow'r
Again lend downy wings to many an hour.
Shall meet the rapid whirlwind in its course,
Nor fear unequal arms, or mightier force.
Thus 'midst the wintry storms, while Boreas flies
O'er groaning earth, and shoots athwart the skies;
While the pale garden withers, by its side
Blooms the green fir-tree in perennial pride.
Fair Virtue interpos'd, her succour gave,
And snatch'd her fav'rite from oblivion's wave.
Enthron'd in Heaven, with a prophetic mind,
She saw proud banners waving in the wind;
Saw nodding helmets, close compacted shields,
And Tarquin's legions scou'ring o'er the fields.
Swift as the lightning, flew the heav'nly guest,
And fix'd her dwelling in Cocles's breast.
Here while her potent force the soul inspires,
Horatius burns with more than mortal fires.
Thus thro' the mantling gloom, and shades of night,
Shines pallid Cynthia, with reflected light,
And cheers the dusky orb; with gentle beam
Gilds the dark trees, and dances on the stream.
But panick struck, behold the Romans fly,
The battle rages, and the foe draws nigh,
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