Let us not sue in vain : O deign to hear our fond request ! Sweet Solitude, thou placid queen II. Parent of Virtue, nurse of Thought, III. Whate'er exalts, refines, and charms, IV. In these blest shades, O still maintain Thy peaceful, unmolested reign! V. With thee the charm of life shall last, Shall still endure when Time shall spread VI. No more with this vain world perplex'd, Ura. Ye tender objects of maternal love, Ye dearest joys my widow'd heart can prove, Come, taste the glories of the new-born day, And grateful homage to its Author pay. O, ever may this animating sight Convey instruction while it sheds delight! Does not that sun, whose cheering beams impart Joy's glad emotions to the pure in heart; Does not that vivid pow'r teach ev'ry mind To be as warm, benevolent, and kind; To burn with unremitted ardour still, Like him to execute their Maker's will? Then let us, Pow'r Supreme! thy will adore, Invoke thy mercies, and proclaim thy pow'r. Shalt thou these benefits in vain bestow? Shall we forget the fountain whence they flow? Teach us through these to lift our hearts to Thee, And in the gift the bounteous Giver see. To view Thee as thou art, all good and wise, Nor let thy blessings hide Thee from our eyes. From all obstructions clear our mental sight; Teach us thy wondrous goodness to revere, Syl. Our hearts with gratitude and rev'rence fraught, By those pure precepts you have ever taught; By your example more than precept strong, Of pray'r and praise have tun'd their matin song. El. With ever new delight, we now attend The counsels of our fond maternal friend. Enter FLORELLA, with EUPHELIA, CLEORA, PASTORELLA, Laurinda. Flo. [aside to the Ladies.] See how the goodly dame, with pious art, Makes each event a lesson to the heart. Observe the duteous list'ners how they stand: Ura. But where's Florella? Flo. Here's the happy she, Whom Heaven most favour'd when it gave her thee. Ura. But who are these in whose attractive mien, So sweetly blended, ev'ry grace is seen? Speak, my Florella! say the cause why here To seek her friendship, to these shades they came. I met them wand'ring on the distant lawn. Ura. Tell me, ye gentle nymphs, the reason tell, Which brings such guests to grace my lowly cell? My pow'r of serving, though indeed but small, Such as it is, you may command it all. Cle. Your counsel, your advice, is all we ask ; And for Urania that's no irksome task. 'Tis Happiness we seek: O deign to tell Where the coy fugitive delights to dwell! Ura. Ah, rather say where you have sought this guest, This lovely inmate of the virtuous breast? Eup. Bred in the regal splendours of a court, I shunn'd Reflection, yet I sought Content. My hours were shar'd betwixt the park and play, And haply her inferior graces fail'd, Yet still some cause of wretchedness I found, Some barbed shaft my shatter'd peace to wound. Perhaps her gay attire exceeded mine When she was finer, how could I be fine? Silv. Pardon my interruption, beauteous maid, Can truth have prompted what you just have said? What! can the poor pre-eminence of dress Ease the pain❜d heart, or give it happiness? Or can you think your robes, though rich and fine, Possess intrinsic value more than mine? Ura. So close our nature is to vice allied, Our very comforts are the source of pride; |