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The sympathetic joy, the kind intent,
The fervent prayer, the knee in secret bent;
Oh, muse on these along your flowery way,
Then ask your heart, and what hast thou to pay?
Return with anxious care the due reward,
No painful task they claim, no service hard;
With watchful eye, with prompt obedience seek
What the heart dictates e'er the lips can speak;
Still bow your minds to mild instruction's sway,
Nor cast the morning of your lives away;
Still shun the paths of vice, the devious ways,
Where levity allures, and folly strays;
Let sober reason all your actions guide,
And crush the seeds of vanity and pride;
Receive with grateful hand the blessings given,
And raise the thoughtful eye, and heart to heaven,
Be studious and sincere, be meekly wise,
Bound with their hopes your own enjoyment lies:
Fulfil this law of love, this service due,
And soothe those hearts that beat so strong for you.
Then when the hour shall come I now deplore,
When those dear parent guides are yours no more;
And when with filial care, and solemn dread,
Your arm shall pillow the expiring head;
Or when with sad and shrinking heart you stand,
To feel the pressure of the stiffening hand,
Or wipe the death dews from the pallid face,
Or shrinking feel the last and cold embrace,
