Ode to Modesty

Tune the lute and tune the lyre, These can life and love inspire. While the Muses touch the string, Mirth shall bashful merit bring: Modesty is joy concealing; Impudence is want of feeling.

COME Modesty, first-bidden guest, Who of thyself would'st come the last; Kind Love shall veil thee from the eyes And insolence of ruder spies; And Taste, fair Virtue's child, entwine A garland for thy brows divine. Happy he whose wishes find Modest worth and love combin'd! Tune the lute and tune the lyre, These can life and love inspire.

IN all things, Modesty, with thee Good taste and temperance agree: True beauty knows no boastful glare, To make the superficial stare; Fond love, Endymion like in sight, Prefers the moon's chaste modest light; To ruffian war loud sounds belong, Thou lov'st the soft Sicilian song. Tune the lute and tune the lyre, These can life and love inspire.

NOT in rude bulk fair Beauty's Queen Moves Goddess of a graceful mien; But in due figure, unconfin'd, Denoting elegance of mind: But fools still hold an idle slate, And for the good admire the great: Thus oft ill actions gain acclaim, While modest worth is mark'd with blame. Tune the lute and tune the lyre, These can life and love inspire.

NOR in vain greatness, nor the voice Of many thou conceiv'st thy choice: The foolish are a num'rous crew; The wise, that worth esteem, are few. From Mercury, Love, ever young, First learn'd fair fluency of tongue, But from Diana chaste to wing The shaft, and from the muse to sing; The gentle muse that shuns the croud, Ever violent, ever loud.

HAPPY he whose wishes find Modest worth and love combin'd! Tune the lute and tune the lyre, These can life and love inspire.