Classic Poem

To MIRA

If you in fancy's ever-blooming scenes,
Contemplative of future grandeur, rove,
Delighted gaze on F LORIO 's wide demesnes,
And blush to recollect an humbler love:

'Twere rude, dear maid! to break the golden dream,
To sweep the gaudy equipage away;
Sully the massy plater's silver gleam,
Or grind the China to its native clay.

Be far from me th' invidious cruel task,
To point the flaws which fancy's colours hide!
Too soon experience will remove the mask,
And shew the nakedness of pompous pride.

But if you cherish in your faithful breast,
The pleasing memory of former days,
Kindly recal each sacred promise past,
And only fate our happiness delays:

My willing muse shall speed the tedious hour,
And cheer your solitude with pious care;
At noon attend you in the woodland bow'r,
And add fresh fragrance to the ev'ning air.

Still true to virtue, let us shun the bait
That from her paths would tempt our steps astray;
Still for a favourable issue wait,
And thro' each difficulty edge our way.

Misfortune's waves may overwhelm a while,
But buoyant virtue will emerge at last;
The time advances that rewards our toil,
And blots from memory the sorrows past.