On Virtue

True virtue is of celebrated fame, Known by too few, except it be in name— The government of virtue in the soul, Doth ev'ry evil principle controul; She flies from all that would her honour stain, Nor aught, but innocence, in her is seen.

Honour and virtue, they are much the same, Prompting the mind to glorious acts of fame. As from sweet fountains pleasant waters flow, And as good fruits upon good trees do grow: So words and actions of the purest kind, Flow from the fountain of a virtuous mind.

They who possess a truly virtuous heart, Would with their life before their virtue part. "Virtue preserves us from the snares of ill, "When sense and passion err, she guards us still." With virtue, we possess the richest store; Without her, are but wretched, mean and poor.