OF TEMPER.
9
Now ripening years a nobler scene supply;
For life now opens on thy sparkling eye:
Thy rising bosom swells with just desire
Rapture to feel, and rapture to inspire:
Not the vain bliss, the transitory joys,
That childish woman feels in radiant toys;
The costly diamond, or the lighter pearl,
The massive Nabob, or the tinsel Earl.
Thy heart demands, each meaner aim above,
Th' imperishable wealth of sterling love;
Thy wish, to please by every softer grace
Of elegance and ease, of form and face!
By lively fancy and by sense refin'd,
The stronger magic of the cultur'd mind!
Thy pure ambition, and thy virtuous plan,
To fix the variable heart of man!
Short is the worship paid at Beauty's shrine;
But lasting love and happiness are mine:
Mine, tho' the earth's mistaken, blinded race,
Despise my influence, and my name debase;
For life now opens on thy sparkling eye:
Thy rising bosom swells with just desire
Rapture to feel, and rapture to inspire:
Not the vain bliss, the transitory joys,
That childish woman feels in radiant toys;
The costly diamond, or the lighter pearl,
The massive Nabob, or the tinsel Earl.
Thy heart demands, each meaner aim above,
Th' imperishable wealth of sterling love;
Thy wish, to please by every softer grace
Of elegance and ease, of form and face!
By lively fancy and by sense refin'd,
The stronger magic of the cultur'd mind!
Thy pure ambition, and thy virtuous plan,
To fix the variable heart of man!
Short is the worship paid at Beauty's shrine;
But lasting love and happiness are mine:
Mine, tho' the earth's mistaken, blinded race,
Despise my influence, and my name debase;
