Page:Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.djvu/78

"E'er vice triumphant had possess'd my heart,

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"E'er yet the tempter had beguil'd my heart,
"E'er yet on sin's base actions I was bent,
"E'er yet I knew temptation's dire intent;
"E'er yet the lash for horrid crimes I felt,

"E'er vanity had led my way to guilt,

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"But, soon arriv'd at my celestial goal,
"Full glories rush on my expanding soul."
Joyful he spoke: exulting cherubs round
Clapt their glad wings, the heav'nly vaults resound.

Say, parents, why this unavailing moan?

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Why heave your pensive bosoms with the groan?
To Charles, the happy subject of my song,
A brighter world, and nobler strains belong.
Say would you tear him from the realms above

By thoughtless wishes, and prepost'rous love?

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Doth his felicity increase your pain?
Or could you welcome to this world again
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$The heir of bliss? with a superior air
Methinks he answers with a smile severe,

"Thrones and dominions cannot tempt me there."

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But