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 In Christian bands to be allied, The sure the ecstatic hope is her's To meet where death can ne'er divide. 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, 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; 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. |