Classic Poem

From climes, where one eternal spring
Emblooms the verdant year,
See, watchful o'er his beauteous charge,
Thy guardian pow'r appear.

Thy infant hours, so heav'n ordain'd,
Engag'd my tender care:
And still unwearied I attend,
To point the hidden snare.

O listen to my faithful voice,
Which, mov'd by sacred truth,
From fading joys to real good,
Shall guide thy careless youth.

Seek not from charms of mortal birth
To purchase empty fame:
With early wisdom learn to trace
Thy Being's nobler aim.

While fighing crowds of rival youths
Their idle homage pay,
Reflect how soon the transient reign
Of beauty must decay.

By nature's unrelenting law
Is fixt it's certain date:
Nor flatt'ry's unavailing breath,
Can change eternal fate.

Amidst the frolic sports of youth,
Some lasting charm engage,
To gild the solitary gloom
Of unadmir'd old age.

To T IME'S inexorable pow'r
Has heav'n's decree consign'd,
All but the undecaying bloom
Of fair, immortal Mind .

While vanity's fantastic schemes
The gay coquet employ,
Let virtue's nobler study form
My E THELINDA'S joy.

For folly's transports of an hour,
And low-designing art,
Be reason's sober pleasures thine,
And innocence of heart.

Tho' charms thus modest and retir'd
Attract no coxcomb's sight,
Applauding angels own their worth,
And view them with delight.