To ——— ———
OH, Author of my being!—far more dear
To me than light, than nourishment, or rest,
Hygeia's blessings, Rapture's burning tear,
Or the life blood that mantles in my breast!
To me than light, than nourishment, or rest,
Hygeia's blessings, Rapture's burning tear,
Or the life blood that mantles in my breast!
If in my heart the love of Virtue glows,
'Twas planted there by an unerring rule;
From thy example the pure flame arose,
Thy life, my precept,—thy good works, my school.
'Twas planted there by an unerring rule;
From thy example the pure flame arose,
Thy life, my precept,—thy good works, my school.
Could my weak pow'rs thy num'rous virtues trace,
By filial love each fear should be repress'd;
The blush of Incapacity I'd chace,
And stand, recorder of thy worth, confess'd:
By filial love each fear should be repress'd;
The blush of Incapacity I'd chace,
And stand, recorder of thy worth, confess'd:
But since my niggard stars that gift refuse,
Concealment is the only boon I claim;
Obscure be still th' unsuccessful Muse,
Who cannot raise, but would not sink, your fame.
Concealment is the only boon I claim;
Obscure be still th' unsuccessful Muse,
Who cannot raise, but would not sink, your fame.
Oh!
