And travels thro' this howling wilderness; By what divine protections she escap❜d I'S Those deadly fnares when youth and Satan leagu'd In combination to affail her virtue; (Snares fet to murder fouls) but Heav'n fecur'd Or does the feek or has the found her babe 20 25 30 35 Behold her ancestors, (a pious race) Rang'd in fair order, at her fight rejoice And fing her welcome. She along their feats Gliding falutes them all with honours due, Such as are paid in heav'n; and laft the finds A manfion fashion'd of diftinguifh'd light But vacant: "This,” with sure presage she cries, "Awaits my father, when will he arrive? "How long, alas how long!" then calls her mate, "Die, thou dear partner of my mortal cares! "Die and partake my biifs; we are for ever one." Ah me! where roves my fancy! what kind dreams 40 Crowd with fweet violence on my waking mind! Perhaps illufions all! Inform me Muse; Chufes fhe rather to retire apart To recollect her diffipated pow'rs 45 And call her thoughts her own; fo lately freed Infinite truth pursuing. (When, my foul! O when shall thy release from cumbrcus flesh And mortal ears could bear them- 60 Or lies the now before th' eternal throne, Proftrate in humble form, with deep devotion O'erwhelm'd and self-abasement, at the fight Of the uncover'd Godhead face to face? Seraphick crowns pay homage at his feet, And her's amongst them, not of dimmer ore, Nor fet with meaner gems; but vain ambition, 70 H And emulation vain, and fond conceit, And pride, for ever banish'd flies the place, 75 80 From the dear breathlefs clay, diftreffing fight! 86 Was this the count'nance where the world admir'd Features of wit and virtue? this the face 90 Where love triumph'd? and Beauty on these cheeks 95 98 On the death of an aged and honoured relative, Mrs. M.W, July 13. 1693. I. I Know the kindred mind: 't is fhe, 't is fhe; The kindred mind from fleshly bondage free; O how unlike the thing was lately seen While the delaying flesh lay fhivering between! II. Long did the earthy house restrain In toilfome flav'ry that ethereal guest, And twisted cramps and aches with her chain, The pillars trembled, and the building fell, The pris'ner fmil'd to be releaft, She felt her fetters loofe and mounted to her reft. 20 III. Gaze on my foul, and let a perfect view Paint her idea all anew; Rafe out thofe melancholy shapes of wo That hang around thy mem'ry and becloud it fo. With youthful green and spotlefs white; Nor can the heav'nly piece require a mortal aid ;- Beyond the pow'r of fancy fhine 25 30 Conceal th'inimitable strokes behind a a gracefalfhrine. IV. Defcribe the faint from head to feet, Make all the lines in juft proportion meet; But let her pofture be Filling a chair of high degree; Obferve how near it ftands to the almighty feat. Paint the new graces of her eyes; Fresh in her looks let fprightly youth arise And joys unknown below the skies. Virtue that lives conceal'd below 35 40 And to the breast confin'd Sits here triumphant on the brow, 45 And breaks with radiant glories thro' The features of the mind. |