You may know very well that I mean;
it is good to be merry and wise.
I have been a father to you,
and so I will to your wife;
Nothing shall be wanting in me,
to the longest day of my life:
And if you amend what's amiss,
and not my good counsel despise.
Then will I conclude all with this,
dear son you’ll be merry and wise.
YE VIRGIN POWERS.
YE virgin powers, defend my heart,
from amorous looks and smiles;
From fancy love, or nicer art,
which most our sex beguiles.
From sighs and vows, and awful fears,
that do to pity move;
From speaking sileuce, and from tears,
those springs that water love.
But if through passion I grow blind,
let honour be my guide;
And when frail nature seems inclin’d,
there place a guard of pride.
An heart, whose flames are seen, tho’ pure,
needs every virtue’s aid;
And she who thinks herself secure,
the soonest is betray’d.
Printed by J. & M. Robertson, Saltmarket, 1802.
