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For vision fails, with light oppressed,
And beauty mocks the troubled breast.
Then strive, my aching thought, to shun
Those ills that cloud thy brightest sun;—
And dwell on fadeless beauties now,
And mark the matron's milder brow;
For wisdom, prudence, pious care
Mingle in meek assemblage there.
The wife,—affectionate, resigned,
The mother,—tender, watchful, kind,
Bespeak the heart where virtue yields
Her choicest fruits, and gently shields
Her votary from mental pain,—
And sweet content and quiet reign.
Methinks I see thee fondly gaze,
As thy loved infant near thee plays,
With all a mother's anxious care,
And hope delighted, beaming there;—
When at its lovely, winning wiles.
Responsive, sweet affection smiles,—
And its first uttered accent breathes
Sweetest of pleasing harmonies.
Then, clasped within thy longing arms,
I see thee bear its infant charms,
Or fold it gently to thy breast,
And lull it to its peaceful rest.
O may the beauteous infant fair
Its mother's charms, her virtues share,—
And long, thy joy and solace prove,
The cherished offspring of thy love;—
And beauty mocks the troubled breast.
Then strive, my aching thought, to shun
Those ills that cloud thy brightest sun;—
And dwell on fadeless beauties now,
And mark the matron's milder brow;
For wisdom, prudence, pious care
Mingle in meek assemblage there.
The wife,—affectionate, resigned,
The mother,—tender, watchful, kind,
Bespeak the heart where virtue yields
Her choicest fruits, and gently shields
Her votary from mental pain,—
And sweet content and quiet reign.
Methinks I see thee fondly gaze,
As thy loved infant near thee plays,
With all a mother's anxious care,
And hope delighted, beaming there;—
When at its lovely, winning wiles.
Responsive, sweet affection smiles,—
And its first uttered accent breathes
Sweetest of pleasing harmonies.
Then, clasped within thy longing arms,
I see thee bear its infant charms,
Or fold it gently to thy breast,
And lull it to its peaceful rest.
O may the beauteous infant fair
Its mother's charms, her virtues share,—
And long, thy joy and solace prove,
The cherished offspring of thy love;—
