Page:Rab and Ringan, a tale (3).pdf/6



Now, Mr. President, I think ’tis plain,

That youthfu’ diffidence is certain gain.

Instead of blocking up the road to knowledge

It guides alike, in Commerce or at College

Struggles the bursts of passion to controul,

Feeds all the finer feeiings [sic] of the soul;

Defies the deep laid stratageme of guile,

And gives each innocence a sweeter smile;

Enobles all the little worth we have,

And shields our virtue even to the grave.

How vast the diff'rence then, between twain!

Since pleasuse ever is pursu’d by pain.

Pleasure's a Syren, with inviting arms,

Sweet is her voice, and powerful ers her char

Lur’d by her call, we tread her flow’ry ground

Joy wings our steps, and music warbles round

Lull’d in her arms, we lose the flying hours

And lie embosom’d ’midst her bloomiog bow

Till—arm’d with death, she watches our undo

Stabs, wbile she sings, and triumphs in our ruin