To him your ev'ning songs direct; His eye shall watch, his arm protect: Though darkness reigns, he's with you still; Then sleep, my babes, and fear no ill. SECTION II. The advantages of early religion. HAPPY the child whose tender years, Receive instruction well; Who hates the sinner's path, and fears When we give up our youth to God, A flow'r, that's offer'd in the bud, 'Tis easy work, if we begin To fear the Lord betimes; While sinners, who grow old in sin, "Twill save us from a thousand snares, To mind religion young; 'Twill preserve our following years, And make our virtue strong. COTTON. To thee, Almighty God! to thee Our childhood we resign; 'Twill please us to look back and see, That our whole lives were thine. Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise, Thus we're prepar'd for longer days, Or fit for early death. SECTION III. Peace and love recommended. LET dogs delight to bark and bite; Let bears and lions growl and fight; For 'tis their nature too. But, children, you should never let Your little hands were never made Let love through all your actions run, And all your words be mild: Live like God's well-beloved Son, That sweet and lovely child. WATTS. His soul was gentle as a lamb ; And as in age he grew, He grew in favour both with man, The Lord of all who reigns above, And marks them for his own. SECTION IV. To a young woman, with a watch. WHILE this gay toy attracts thy sight, And seize, my dear, that rapid time, That never must return. If idly lost, no art or care The blessing can restore; And Heav'n requires a strict account For ev'ry mispent hour. Short is our longest day of life, And soon its prospect ends; Yet on that day's uncertain date, Eternity depends. WATTS. But equal to our being's aim, The space to virtue giv'n; And ev'ry minute, well improv'd, Secures an age in Heav'n. SECTION V. Verses accompanying a nosegay. THOU can'st not steal the rose's bloom, To decorate thy face; But the sweet blush of modesty, Those vi❜lets scent the distant gale; So real worth new merit gains, Nor wilt thou e'er that lily's white, In thy complexion find; Now, in the op'ning spring of life, The budding virtues in thy breast Shall yield the best perfume. CARTER. This nosegay, in thy bosom plac'd, A moral may convey: For soon its brightest tints shall fade, And all its sweets decay. So short-liv'd are the lovely tribes Of Flora's transient reign : They bud, blow, wither, fall, and die; They turn to earth again. And thus, my dear, must ev'ry charm, Alike this quick succession prove, Sickness will change the roseate hue, And But as that fragrant myrtle wreath, So shall the mental graces still, SECTION VI. Duties of the morning. SEE the time for sleep has run ; Rise before or with the sun. Lift thy hands, and humbly pray, The Fountain of eternal day, K |