Classic Poem

Tell how each beauty of her mind and face
Was brighten'd by some sweet peculiar grace!
How eloquent in ev'ry look
Thro' her expressive eyes her soul distinctly spoke!
Tell how her manners by the world refin'd
Left all the taint of modish vice behind,
And made each charm of polish'd courts agree
With candid Truth's simplicity
And uncorrupted Innocence!
Tell how to more than manly sense
She join'd the soft'ning influence
Of more than female tenderness!
How in the thoughtless days of wealth and joy,
Which oft' the care of others' good destroy,
Her kindly melting heart
To ev'ry want and ev'ry wo,
To Guilt itself when in distress,
The balm of pity would impart,
And all relief that bounty could bestow!
Ev'n for the kid or lamb that pour'd its life
Beneath the bloody knife.
Her gentle tears would fall,
Tears from sweet Virtue's source, benevolent to all!