The Picture; to Marinda

Marinda's temper, open and sincere,
Despis'd the little, the dissembling arts
Which often smooth the supple fawner's brow,
While hate and stormy mischief brood within.
In friendship honest — nor profess'd esteem,
But when her heart accorded with her tongue.
She knew, by reason and reflection taught,
How vain the pleasures which the gay admire;
Her judgment bade her prize intrinsic worth
Above the low parade of outward show.
But then a warmth, impatient of control,
Would often rise and break her inward peace.
She knew, and call'd it pride, and strove to mend
The fault acknowledg'd; but, alas! in vain.
Though reason said, "Content is earthly bliss;
"And patience and humility prepare
"Her peaceful lodging in the human breast."
Yet to attain these graces reason fails;
Till blest religion, heavenly form, appears!
A form no human pencil ever drew
In equal colours! on her head a crown
Emits a lustre like the rising morn!
See in her hand the sacred book of truth
Which she unfolding, now with heaven-taught skill
Points out the needful precept, now displays
The cheering promise of almighty aid:
Nor less than aid almighty can sustain
The fainting mind; for lo, affliction comes!
Nor comes undreaded; though Marinda oft
Had seen the frowning form, yet ne'er till now
Array'd in half its terrors; now it spreads
A more than midnight shade; ten thousand fears
Torment the restless scene! Marinda sinks,
O'erwhelm'd and fainting with extreme distress,
Yet struggling with her sorrow: "O for help,"
She sighs, nor sighs in vain to pitying heaven.
Two Nymphs divine, of blest religion's train,
Are sent to cheer the heart-oppressing gloom;
And these can cheer when human pity mourns.
And sympathizing friendship weeps in vain.
Hope whispers comfort; and a lucid ray
Breaks through the solid night: Now Faith applies
The sacred optic, and Marinda's eye,
Through the dark clouds of mortal grief, beholds
A power omnipotent, and wise, and good,
Dispensing with parental tender care,
Her needful pains, her salutary griefs,
As kind preparatives for future joy.
Her present woes, when weigh'd with future joy,
How light! when measur'd with eternal bliss
They seem contracted to a moment's point.
Before the bright'ning prospect, proud impatience
Retreats asham'd: and now the gentle pair
Humility and Patience, pleasing guests,
Sure harbingers of sweet content, appear.
O may the gentle pair propitious tarry,
And may divine Content, by them invited,
Attend Marinda's dwelling, till this house
Of feeble texture falls; till heaven unfolds
Its shining gates to her transported eyes;
And angels, with triumphant songs, proclaim
Her blissful welcome to the realms of joy.