ADDRESSED

TO THE CHILDREN OF A FRIEND.

Infant buds of early beauty!
Sport suspend, to hear my strain,
Let a Poet tell your duty,
Tho' his verse, perhaps, be vain:

To his sad experience listen,
Little as you are, attend,
Let your eyes with pleasure glisten,
Trust the P OET in the F RIEND .

First to H IM , o'er each soft feature,
Who that rosey bloom has spread,
Breathe the pray'r of artless N ATURE ,
By H IS gracious spirit led;

H E , shall angels send to charm you,
Angels than yourselves less fair,
They with turtle fondness warm you,
Shield you with celestial care:

Female sweetness, kind discretion,
In your mother's smile discern,
Holy friendship's high expression,
H ONOUR , — from your father learn!

Be of false flow'ry pleasures fearful,
Where vulgar children, heedless, stray,
Not like the showery A PRIL , tearful,
Nor sullen, like the W INTER 's day;

Never, for foolish gewgaws squabble,
Let them not mar you rip'ning joys,
Tho' older heads, a pompous rabble!
Alas! too often, fight for toys.

Soon, soon, will fly those sportive graces,
Ah! soon, your guiltless pranks be o'er,
Sorrow will cloud those pretty faces,
Where sorrow never sat before;

Quickly Time's rapid wing will cover
Your tiny span, with envious shade,
B ESS will be sighing for a lover,
And F RED pursue some scornful maid:

Then, Passions fierce, with wild dominion,
Torment you on Life's tragic stage,
Then will you miss the parent-pinion
Shelt'ring now your tender age;

Then, whatsoever chance betide you,
Whether fell Grief your bosom wrings,
Or, Peace thro' blissful regions guide you,
You'll own the truth your Poet sings.