Classic Poem

O best aeconomist of life,
Tho' all the passions were at strife;
Yet thou, fair Prudence, could'st assuage
The storm, and moderate its rage.

With Dove and Serpent at thy call,
As caution'd by the Lord of all,
Thou art in Christ full well aware,
Of open force or secret snare.

To check thy thoughts divinely meek,
To weigh thy words before you speak,
To make the day's demand secure,
To be the treas'rer of the poor.

All these, Prudentia, these are thine;
And God thro' Christ shall make them mine;
To do my best till life shall end,
Then on futurity depend.