Yes-dearest Cynthia shall be thine Which thou art destin'd here to spend ; To thee she'll bring, that thou might'st rear, Of her attachment true; The smiling babe, the playful child, and lively youth, And thine will be as long as heaven shall spare Bless'd with a length of days; TIME, though he alters our frail frame, For over genuine love time has no pow'r! Whate'er our winged hours engage, In my last moments on my bed, Wiping away the trickling tear; With latest breath I'll thee commend TO HEAVEN's fond care-who soon will send Around thy little cot they'll stand, Nor shalt thou long behind me stay Meantime our Children shall remain When done their part on LIFE's wide stage, Consoling thought to my pain'd heart Thus, as the flowing river glides, Thus THE ENAMOUR'D YOUTH at dewy eve And its long train of blessings; DOMESTIC BLISS, who would not prize, To cheer our tedious hours? Thanks to YON POWER who reigns above, Wisely dispensing virtuous love To warm men's listless souls; Thanks to YON POWER, when first he said in mildest toneADAM-it is not good for thee to be alone, Then-formed his LOVELY EVE! Who can find a VIRTUOUS WOMAN? (Proverbs xxxi. 11. to the end) for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her HUSBAND doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hand she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry: her clothing is silk and purple. Her HUSBAND is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. maketh fine linen, und selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her CHILDREN arise up, and call her blessed; her HUSBAND also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and come. She beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. And SOLOMON, the wisest of men, willing to resume the delightful subject, thus exclaims in another portion of the Sacred Writings:-As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven, (Eccl. xxvi. 16, 18, 23.) so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver, so are the fair feet with a constant heart. A WICKED WOMAN is given as a portion to a wicked man, but A GODLY WOMAN is given to him that feareth the Lord. |