Page:Memoir and poems of Phillis Wheatley, a native African and a slave.djvu/84

78 How did the follies of that period pass

Unnoticed, but behold them writ in brass!

In Recollection see them fresh return,

And sure 'tis mine to be ashamed and mourn.

O Virtue! smiling in immortal green,

Do thou exert thy power, and change the scene;

Be thine employ to guide my future days,

And mine to pay the tribute of my praise.

Of Recollection such the power enthroned

In every breast, and thus her power is owned.

The wretch who dared the vengeance of the skies,

At last awakes in horror and surprise,

By her alarmed, he sees impending fate,

But howls in anguish and repents too late.

But oh! what peace, what joys are hers to impart

To ev'ry holy, ev'ry upright heart!

Thrice blest the man, who, in her sacred shrine,

Feels himself sheltered from the wrath divine!



various works, imperial queen, we see

How bright their forms! how decked with pomp by thee!

Thy wond'rous acts in beauteous order stand,

And all attest how potent is thine hand.