Address to Miss M * * * * * * * *

I KNOW, my fair, thy early breast
With love of virtue is possess'd;
Be then a steady zeal for Truth
The system of thy rising youth.
If duty to that Providence,
Who gave thee being, strength, and sense,
Within thy heart retain its seat,
Truth will not quit the dear retreat.
An unremitting love of God,
Is thy best guide through life's dim road.

To gild reflection with delight,
As time advances in his flight,
Let duty to thy parent sway
The conduct of each rising day;
On the soft tablet of thy breast
Be this dear precept deep imprest!
Observe it chief, when age or care
Shall silver o'er her ebon hair:
If testy pain unkindly speak,
Thy swelling temper duteous check.
Ah! do not thou augment that pain;
She may, but thou may'st not complain.

Oh! curs'd, above all others, he,
Who, harden'd in impiety,
Transgresses duty's holy bound,
And dares a parent's bosom wound.
Oh! let him tremble, lest he want
That comfort he refus'd to grant!

List, list, my child, with awful ear,
And shudder at the tale you hear.