Well since the Matter's settled & the State
Of our Affairs stands poiz'd with equal Weight
You kindly do bestow & I receive
The utmost Pleasure that a Muse can give
My Pen shall rove, & all Disputes shall cease
The one in hand shall terminate in this
The Garland mine, be yours the Happiness.
But Nature does to sacred Themes invite
And Contemplation only can delight
Creation's Hush'd as in that silent Hour
When Chaos felt th'almighty forming Pow'r
Quite wearied out the feather'd Songsters sleep
The Streams forgot their Visits to the Deep
No Breath of Air disturbs the peacefull Grove
And all the rural Graces cease to rove.
In silent State the glitt'ring Planets roll
And shed a pleasing Sadness on my Soul
While heav'nly Subjects all my Thoughts employ
Religion's Rapture & triumphant Joy
See from the Skies descends the heav'n born Maid
And gilds with Rays divine the darkest Shade
Before her all-inspiring presence flies
Life's gaudy Scene, its Pageantry & Lies
But She Adversity vouchsafes to soothe
And Poverty's severest Terror smoothe
Possest of her the Soul may sit secure
And calmly Smile at ought she may endure
What are the gayest Blandishments of Sense
We can derive no solid Comfort thence
They like a Shadow mock the fond Embrace
Start at th' attempt & dissappoint the Chace
I see the Cheat Religions now in view
Lead on caelestial Pow'r, I follow You
And bid this Worlds Delusions all Adieu
May You Palemon by the Gospels Ray
Be led forever in the Heav'nly Way
Go on & prosper as you have begun
And in the Paths of sacred Virtue run
O follow still the Purpose of your Soul
Nor let th' encumb'ring World its Bent controul
For your Reward is in the blest abode
Where Pleasures flow at the right hand of God.