Page:Poems, Consisting Chiefly of Translations from the Asiatick Languages.djvu/25



Not in proud piles to heap the nightly feast, Till morn with pearls has deck'd the glowing east;— Ah! not for this she taught those bowers to rise, And bade all Eden spring before our eyes: Far other thoughts her heavenly mind employ, (Hence, empty pride! and hence, delusive joy!) To cheer with sweet repast the fainting guest; To lull the weary on the couch of rest; To warm the traveller numb'd with winter's cold; The young to cherish, to support the old; The sad to comfort, and the weak protect; The poor to shelter, and the loft direct:— These are her cares, and this her glorious task; Can heaven a nobler give, or mortals ask?

Come to these groves, and these life-breathing glades, Ye friendless orphans, and ye dowerless maids! With eager haste your mournful mansions leave, Ye weak, that tremble; and, ye sick, that grieve; Here shall soft tents, o'er flowery lawns display'd, At night defend you, and at noon o'ershade; Here rosy health the sweets of life will shower, And new delights beguile each varied hour.