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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
From second causes up to God,
To teach you how to be resign'd,
And meekly bow beneath his rod.

9

He'll tell you of a Saviour's love
Salvation's wond'rous plan explain,
And point you to the realms above
Where everlasting pleasures reign.

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.

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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,
But rises with the morning light,

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;
Her maids stern winter's storms behold

Well cloath'd and guarded from the cold.

5

Nor doth she lack the rich attire
Her rank and fortune may require;
Her husband by her worth is known
When with the rulers he sits down.

6

In time to come she shall rejoice,
The law of kindness prompts her voice,
Her industry is fam'd afar,

Honour and strength her cloathing are.

7

Her children rise and call her blest,
While joy pervades her husband's breast:
"Though many daughters have done well,
Yet thou, my Fair, do'st all excel!"

8

Favour's deceitful, beauty vain,
But love of God shall praise obtain;
Her works shall speak her truly great,
While distant lands her praise relate.

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,
The short-liv'd triumph of an hour
Is all that it can boast;

Unless good sense and virtue bind
More firm the fetters of the mind
Its power is quickly lost.

2

The sparkling eye, the dimpled smile
May some unwary heart beguile,

Yet will not long secure :

But when esteem and love unite,
The flame of pure affection bright
Forever shall endure.

3

The finest form, the loveliest face
Adorn'd with ev'ry youthful grace

Will quickly cease to charm,
Since short is beauty's reign, for soon
Discase can spoil the finest bloom
And all its power disarm.

4

Then boast not of your matchless form,
But rather seek your mind to adorn
With virtue's rich array;

Let nobler themes your care employ,
Seek for that pure substantial joy
Which never can decay.

5

How blest is she who fears the Lord,
Guiding her conduct by his word
Each vain desire repels;

Her mind with heavenly wisdom fraught,
No envious, no repining thought

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.

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