Page:Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.djvu/89

But thee, Maria, a kind Nereid's shield
Preserv'd from sinking, and thy form upheld:
And sure some heav'nly oracle design'd

At that dread crisis to instruct thy mind

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Things of eternal consequence to weigh,
And to thine heart just feelings to convey
Of things above, and of the future doom,
And what the births of the dread world to come.

From toiling seas I welcome thee to land.

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"Resign her, Nereid," 'twas thy God's command.
Thy spouse late buried, as thy fears conceiv'd,
Again returns, thy fears are all reliev'd:
Thy daughter blooming with superior grace

Again thou see'st, again thine arms embrace;

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O come, and joyful show thy spouse his heir,
And what the blessings of maternal care!