7 Should sickness bend your feeble frame, The glow of health forsake your cheek, His tenderness will be the same, His voice the words of comfort speak. 8 "Twill be his task to lead your mind 9 He'll tell you of a Saviour's love 10 Blest is her lot who thus prefers The sure the ecstatic hope is her's XII. THE GOOD WIFE. FROM PROVERBS XXXI. BY THE SAME. 1 WHO shall a virtuous female gain? Her worth what language can explain? Her husband's heart in her confides, Discretion all her conduct guides. 2 She knows each various work to chuse, Her hands no needful task refuse, And orders all her house aright. 3 She hastes the household goods to buy, The garden blooms beneath her eye, While temperance preserves her health, And frugal care augments her wealth. 4 Yet to the needy of her land She stretches forth the liberal hand; Well cloath'd and guarded from the cold. 5 Nor doth she lack the rich attire 6 In time to come she shall rejoice, Honour and strength her cloathing are. 7 Her children rise and call her blest, 8 Favour's deceitful, beauty vain, XIII. BEAUTY. BY CHARLOTTE RICHARDSON. Beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised. PROV. XXXi. 30. 1 BEAUTY is but a fading flower, Unless good sense and virtue bind 2 The sparkling eye, the dimpled smile Yet will not long secure : But when esteem and love unite, 3 The finest form, the loveliest face Will quickly cease to charm, 4 Then boast not of your matchless form, Let nobler themes your care employ, 5 How blest is she who fears the Lord, Her mind with heavenly wisdom fraught, Within her bosom dwells. 6 She, she alone is truly wise Aspiring to a higher prize Than earth could ever give : She shall be prais'd while time shall last, And, when this fleeting life is past, In endless glory live. |