Honesty

Look where the golden thrones of monarchs shine, Where sceptred blockheads reign by right divine; With ample power, o'er subject millions rule, Exhibiting the despot or the fool. Look where her chests of gold blind fortune grants, To feed, to satisfy the rich man's wants. Survey the gaudy dress, dependent groom, The gold guilt chariot, and the lofty dome. Look where the steep of fame her children climb, The sage philosopher the bard sublime; Borne by the breath of popular applause, Or crushed in infamy's or envy's jaws, Look where the virgin, blest with every charm, Each eye to captivate, each bosom warm, O'er rival courtiers holds imperial sway, The toast and topic of the festive day.

CAN these united claim thy least regard? The rich, the sage, the monarch or the bard; Unless calm reason o'er each thought preside, Duty to heaven impel, and conscience guide, An honest heart, the soul's ambrosial food, The highest happiness, the greatest good. Fame yields no lawrels that impart such bliss, Earth has no crown equivalent to this.

WHAT tho the world be careless of thy worth; What tho her hand wild fortune stretch not forth; What tho grief's mists hang heavy round thy head, And sullen cares molest thy nightly bed; What tho detraction's pestilential breath, Consign thy memory to the shades of death. Yet if thy sovereign conscience grant thee rest, GOD's mighty umpire in the human breast, If, like Aeolus, reason shall assuage Thy stormy passions and thy bursting rage; If virtue's polestar shall direct thy way, And honor's lamp illume thy every day, Unmoved with slander; and unstung with guile, Rewarding heaven on thy pursuits shall smile. Angels shall crown thy brows with endless green: Unknown to man, yet not by GODS unseen.

As when some youth, with love's chaste ardor fired, His ev'ry vein with thrilling bliss inspired: Far distant from the maid that holds his heart; Long absent, while the tedious months depart; Whom first astray wild enterprize has led, And pale disease chained on her iron bed; Death's dart evaded; health's gay bloom returns, The once wan cheek with crimson vigor burns: He pants again to find, t' attend his fair, Who long, than death far more, has claimed his care. The meeting pair, in love's embraces blest, The youth rewarded and the maid caressed. What are the scenes? and what the sorrows past? Heaven crowns with bliss his highest hope at last. So shall the youth, whom virtue's arm sustains. Or o'er prosperity's enchanting plains, Thro' the wild deserts of perplexing cares, Or flowery paths, where vice has laid her snares, Thro the chill winter of misfortune's reign, Or o'er the ragged wilds of grief and pain, By her secure be led. His steady eyes Behold the rich, the never ending prize; Embracing angels his blest soul convey To loftiest joys of heaven's immortal day.