Ah! think not, in the dangerous hour, The Nymph fictitious as the flow'r; But shun, rash youth, the gay alcove, Nor tempt the snares of wily love. When charms thus press on ev'ry sense, What thought of flight, or of defence? Deceitful hope, and vain desire, For ever flutter o'er her lyre, Delighting as the youth draws nigh, To point the glances of her eye, And forming with unerring art New chains to hold the captive heart. But on those regions of delight Might truth intrude with daring flight, Could Stella, sprightly, fair, and young, One moment hear the moral song, Instruction with her flowers might spring, And wisdom warble from her string. Mark, when from thousand mingled dyes Thou seest one pleasing form arise, How active light, and thoughtful shade, In greater scenes each other aid; Mark, when the different notes agree In friendly contrariety,
How passion's well-accorded strife Gives all the harmony of life; Thy pictures shall thy conduct frame. Consistent still, though not the same Thy music teach the nobler art. To tune the regulated he
If her easy air express
Conscious worth, or soft distress, Stella's eyes, and air, and face, Charm with undiminish'd grace. If on her we see display'd Pendant gems, and rich brocade, If her chintz with less expence Flows in easy negligence;
Still she lights the conscious flame, Still her charms appear the same; If she strikes the vocal strings, If she's silent, speaks, or sings, If she sit, or if she move, Still we love and still approve.
Vain the casual, transient glance, Which alone can please by chance, Beauty, which depends on art, Changing with the changing heart, Which demands the toilet's aid, Pendant gems and rich brocade. I those charms alone can prize Which from constant nature rise, Which not circumstance nor dress, E'er can make, or more, or less.
No more thus brooding o'er yon heap, With Avarice painful vigils keep; Still unenjoy'd the present store, Still endless sighs are breath'd for more.
Oh! quit the shadow, catch the prize, Which not all India's treasure buys! To purchase Heaven has gold the power? Can gold remove the mortal hour? In life can love be bought with gold? Are friendship's pleasures to be sold? No-all that's worth a wish-a thought, Fair virtue gives unbrib'd, unbought, Cease then on trash thy hopes to bind, Let nobler views engage thy mind. With science tread the wond'rous way, Or learn the Muses' moral lay; In social hours indulge thy soul, Where mirth and temperance mix the bowl; To virtuous love resign thy breast, And be, by blessing beauty-błest. Thus taste the feast by nature spread, Ere youth and all its joys are fled; Come taste with me the balm of life, Secure from pomp, and wealth and strife. I 'boast whate'er for man was meant, In health, and Stella, and content; And scorn! oh! let that scorn be thine! Mere things of clay that dig the mine.
WHEN lately Stella's form display'd The beauties of the gay brocade, The nymphs, who found their power decline, Proclaim'd her not so fair as fine.
"Fate! snatch away the bright disguise,
"And let the goddess trust her eyes."
Thus blindly pray'd the Fretful Fair, And Fate malicious heard the pray'r; But, brighten'd by the sable dress, As virtue rises in distress,
Since Stella still extends her reign, Ah! how shall envy sooth her pain?
Th' adoring Youth and envious Fair, Henceforth shall form one common prayer; And love and hate alike implore
The skies" That Stella mourn no more."
Nor the soft sighs of vernal gales The fragrance of the flowery vales, The murmurs of the crystal rill, The vocal grove, the verdant hill; Not all their charms, though all unite, Can touch my bosom with delight.
Not all the gems on India's shore, Not all Peru's unbounded store, Not all the power, nor all the fame, That heroes, kings, or poets, claim; Nor knowledge, which the learn'd approve; To form one wish my soul can move.
Yet nature's charms allure my eyes, And knowledge, wealth, and fame I prize; Fame, wealth, and knowledge, I obtain, Nor seek I nature's charms in vain; In lovely Stella all combine; And, lovely Stella! thou art mine.
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