[David And Saul.]

When David fled from Saul oppress’d, Who should have held the Shepherd dear, He carried Patience in his breast, And Conscience light, a heavenly Guest; He fear’d not, nor had Cause of fear.

But, when he fled the holy Place In horror from his rebel Son, He carried Terror and Disgrace; Nor could a gleam of Comfort trace In all the battles he had won.

But, as upon his Throne he shook, With present Love and Glory crown’d, The one stern word the Prophet spoke At once into his Bosom broke To fright, alarm him, and confound.

Thus injur’d, I my Peace retain And feel from Guilt and Terror free; But, should I injure Man again, I should in fear and Dread remain, Tho’ cheer’d with wealth and blest by thee.

ENIGMA.

(Sovereign.)

I was known in old Time; and yet, strange to [relate], ’Tis a very few years from my very first [state]. When I travel—’tis seldom—my Way you may trace; Yet I’m constantly secretly changing my Place; I’m weak, and I’m wise; I have Praise and have Blame; Yet at all times my Value and Worth is the same. I Nobles create; and yet any of these May consume and abuse me as much as they please. Though I Millions command, yet the Poorest may gain And possess me awhile, though they seldom retain. Tho’ I’ve Equals ten thousand, all over the Land, Yet One Crown I possess and have four at Command. One part of my Character All Men may read, } And that only from such Contradictions is freed: } Who counterfeits me, stakes his Life on the Deed. }

CHARADE.

(Modesty.)

My first, a fashion; next, a place That fashion never came to grace; But few who dwell in Houses fair Thrive like the well-fed Beings there. My whole, a Virtue and a Grace Adorns the Mind, [adorns] the face.