The journey long, the fare was mean and coarse,
The road was rugged, and the task was worse;
Our gentle guides were Patience, Hope, and Truth,
(The best supporters of each virtuous youth)
Each friend, by turns, sooth'd my advent'rous heart,
And tales of truth, and honor did impart.
When, on a sudden, horrors spread around,
And echo'd thro' the grove an hollow sound;
The clouds grew black, all nature seem'd to fade,
And sicken o'er the solemn lonely glade;
Naught could be heard but silver falling floods,
And woe fraught murmurs reign'd throughout the woods.
Confusion struck my frame, when Patience cry'd,
"Fear not, fair nymph, in me alone confide;
"In a short time these dreadful storms shall cease,
"And I will crown your toil, with joy, and peace.
"E'er you arrive where bliss eternal reigns,
"You first must learn to scorn such trifling pains;
"The pure seraphic mind which virtue warms,
"Must bare serenely these tempestuous storms;
"The feeling heart must many crosses know,
"In virtue's cause, — where fortune proves a foe:
"Let not these trifles your soft breast alarm,
"Patience will guide you free from every harm."
Here ceas'd the virgin, the prophetic sound,
And gleams of heavenly light shone all around;
The clouds dispers'd, the storm and tempest ceas'd,
And every visionary care decreas'd.
The flowers recover'd their delightful hue,
And nature shone in all her bloom anew;
No scent more fragrant does the rose exhale,
Then those which fan'd the sweet ambrosial gale.
At a small distance stood the peaceful cell,
Where innocence and harmony do dwell;
No pompous grandeur there adorns the grove,
No spiery turrets rear their heads above;
No gilded columns, no gay temples rise,
There no luxurious dome invades the skies;
Alone for peace the humble cell was made,
And sweet contentment, reigns within the shade:
A purling stream in soft meanders glide,
The violet sweet, and daizy blooms beside:
Fair honor reigns supreme and void of care,
Each heavenly blessing does inhabit there.
With meek humility, with truth divine,
And ev'ry virtue bows before the shrine.
Love, the soft moulder of the pliant soul,
(Whose power our wishes and our minds controul;)
Within these sacred shades serenely mov'd,
By virtue guided, and by heav'n approv'd.
Enraptur'd I beheld those regions bright,
And scenes of wonder beam'd upon the sight;
Harmonious songsters I distinctly heard,
And soft musicians in the grove appear'd:
While thus I stood intent to see and hear,
A damsel's voice address'd my pensive ear.
"Like you a stranger to distress and woe,
"Possess'd of all the gifts the gods bestow,
"Of all the real blessings heaven can give,
"Still my fond soul for other joys did grieve.
"Once on a time by giddy fancy taught,
"For idle pleasures earnestly I sought;
"No well-taught council could my feet restrain,
"But pleasures lur'd me to the flow'ry plain;
"That sure destruction to the youthful mind,
"To her my frail, my willing heart inclin'd.
"Long time I revel'd in luxurious joys,
"Which ev'ry gen'rous sentiment destroys.
"But ah! fair nymph, each pleasure quickly dies,
"Where blacken'd vice, fair virtue's place supplies.
"Such idle joys last but a fleeting day,
"Where vice triumphant reigns with potent sway;
"Short was the time these scenes my soul possess'd,
"But endless are the pangs within my breast.
"No time the stings of conscience can subdue,
"Where'er I fly fresh grief my steps pursue;
"Conscious of past offence, my erring breast,
"Is torn with sad remorse, and rob'd of rest,
"I feel, I feel, the heaving sigh renew'd,
"And sad rememb'rance on my soul intrude;
"Still must my mind with heart felt grief abound,
"Till virtue's hand shall heal reflection's wound.
"Too late my blinded eyes perceiv'd the road,
"Which lead to this celestial, bless'd abode;
"Happy are you, whose youthful breast aspires,
"With genial warmth, to burn with purer fires.
"Who in the tender, early days of youth,
"Trod the unsullied paths of sacred truth.
"Then hail, fair nymph, hail sweet humility,
"Each vot'ry of our shade, shall honor thee.
"Enjoy, henceforth, each blessing of the bless'd,
"May all thy future days be crown'd with rest. "
"Farewell, "she cry'd, — then join'd the happy throng,
Who to my list'ning ear address'd their song.
"Welcome, welcome, to our cell,
"Here content, and peace do dwell;
"Every joy to charm the heart,
"All that wisdom can impart,
"All that can the bosom fire,
"All that virtue can desire;
"Every blessing from above,
"Ease and plenty, joy and love;
"Meek humility and rest,
"All the transports of the bless'd;
"Join with us in sprightly song,
"Dance among the happy throng;
"Tune the cymbal, and the lyre,
"Virtue does our souls inspire;
"Prudence, is our matron wise,
"Ev'ry folly we despise;
"Here the graces keep their court,
"Here the muses all resort;
"Welcome to this happy cell,
"Here content and peace doth dwell.
Here ceas'd the tender, soft, alluring throng,
Their artless, sweet, prophetic, warmbling song;
And I awoke, alas! too soon to find,
'Twas only fancy that deceiv'd my mind;
But what a change from scenes of tranquil joy,
To momentary pleasures born to cloy.