Classic Poem

O' ER these soft lines the drooping Graces sigh,
And injur'd L OVE his rosy chaplet tears:
The useless lustre fades in B EAUTY'S eye,
And G ENIUS , while it frames the verse, despairs.

Were these the patient suff'rer's only boast,
How deep the ruin! how severe the smart!
When all, that charms the world beside, is lost
On tasteless D AMON'S cold, unfeeling heart.

Yet tho' from these the faithless rover flies,
On surer aids her better hopes depend;
While sickle human passions fall and rise,
Secure of fixing ONE unfailing friend.

Acquaint thyself with Him, and be at peace,
To his attentive ear thy griefs confide:
His tender care each throbbing pain shall ease,
His arm sustain thee, and his counsel guide.

No cold neglect the faithful heart repays,
Whose stedfast aim solicits HIS regard:
Each wish for merit, each attempt to please
He views, and his approving smiles reward.

Thro' ev'ry changing scene his constant love
Alike shall make it's happy object blest:
Shall ev'ry joy of active life improve,
And sooth it's latest agonies to rest.

When youth and beauty deck that form no more,
And time, at length, shall claim what long it spares,
H IS vital smile shall ev'ry charm restore,
And bid them bloom thro' everlasting years.

'Till then the hope, by D AMON'S vows betray'd,
And wand'ring long on passion's stormy seas,
By HIS unerring guidance safely led,
Shall fix her anchor on the rock of peace.