SON

Look round, and all the works of God discern; Survey his creatures, and true wisdom learn: Th' instructive lesson to your mind apply'd, Be there impress'd, and all it's motions guide.

Go range the desart till the stork you find— A fit example to instruct mankind— See on his Wings, mov'd by th' instinctive fire, He bears, worn out with age, his feeble sire: Aloft he bears him to a mountain's head; And aids him there till number'd with the dead. With ev'ry tender sentiment impress'd, Let his example warm your youthful breast: Th' instructive precept thence deriv'd obey. And in thy conduct let it always sway: Support thy father when bow'd down with age, And chear his heart in life's declining stage: Support him; and extend a guardian arm To shield his hoary head from ev'ry harm: Till down to rest, exhausted and decay'd, His weary limbs—resign'd to heav'n—are laid.

Sweeter than incense-odours, that arise From Persia's altars, and perfume the skies; Far sweeter than the spicy gales that blow From India's shoar, and all it's fragrance know; Sweeter than these, with sweets of roses join'd— Sweeter than these, with ev'ry sweet combin'd— Is love—the love that sways the filial breast, With ev'ry mark of reverence impress'd.

For him,—from whose rejoicing loins you sprung— For her,—upon whose fost'ring breasts you hung,— Let gratitude kind sentiments inspire; And in thy breast excite love's gen'rous fire: To their instructions lend a willing ear; And all thy conduct by their precepts steer. From love, which o'er you spreads it's friendly wing, Their precepts and instruction always spring: Observ'd th' instruction, and it's voice obey'd; And due respect to all their precepts paid; Within thy breast shall true contentment reign, And undisturb'd it's easy sway maintain; Joys unaffected shall thy bosom swell, And there—still growing—with contentment dwell.

Thy infancy all-helpless call to mind, Expos'd to num'rous ills of ev'ry kind; Recall to mind—when young how frow'rd thou wert, Thò bless'd with all things parents could impart; Recall to mind—how in your tender age, Your happiness did all their thôts engage; By virtue's precepts how they form'd your mind, And your best good, in all they did, design'd; Then sway'd by duty, and a love sincere, Due honor pay them, and their age revere: When helpless grown, when silver'd o'er by age, And ready to forsake this mortal stage; Allay their grief as languishing they lie, And all their wants thy filial hand supply: Thy filial hand, as now declines their day, Their former love and goodness should repay; Should strive to ease their pains, asswage their grief, And, to it's utmost pow'r, afford relief; Till in the grave—the debt of nature paid— In silence undisturb'd their hoary heads are laid.

Thy children thus, by thy example led, When age comes on, and life's best joys are fled, Shall in their breasts feel duty's pow'rful sway, And all thy filial love with love repay; Shall chear thy heart, with pains and ills oppress'd, Or—chearless—heave a sympathizing breast; Shall feel your joys and sorrows as their own; And smiles return to smiles, to groans a groan: Till nature spent—till spent the vital flame, Your deathless part forsakes it's mortal frame.