28
TO A NEPHEW
Dear boy, life's untried scenes to you
Are fresh with opening charms:
No latent poison canst thou view,
Nor aught thy fear alarms.
Are fresh with opening charms:
No latent poison canst thou view,
Nor aught thy fear alarms.
Smoothly, serenely, on life flows,
In childhood's pleasing sport;
Thy youthful heart now bounds with joys,
Nor dreams the season short.
In childhood's pleasing sport;
Thy youthful heart now bounds with joys,
Nor dreams the season short.
But, dearest child, the path of life
Is crossed with griefs and cares,
And, in the various windings, lie
Concealed, entangling snares.
Is crossed with griefs and cares,
And, in the various windings, lie
Concealed, entangling snares.
The brightest hope oft turns to pain,
And fills the heart with grief;
And promised pleasures, ere we taste,
Oft cheat the fond belief.
And fills the heart with grief;
And promised pleasures, ere we taste,
Oft cheat the fond belief.
And friends, who promise love unfeigned,
Their plighted faith may break;
When sickness, woe, or want assails,
Regardless may forsake.
Their plighted faith may break;
When sickness, woe, or want assails,
Regardless may forsake.
But there presides a Sovereign Power,
The friend of the distressed,
Who guards the hapless child of grief,
And gives the sufferer rest.
The friend of the distressed,
Who guards the hapless child of grief,
And gives the sufferer rest.
