Gazette Of The United States

THE POWER OF INNOCENCE.
A TRUE STORY.

When first they live the happy life of love:
But when familiar charms no more,
Inspire the bliss they gave before;
Each less delighting, less is loved,
First this, then that, is disapproved;
Complacence flies, neglect succeeds;
Neglect, disdain and hatred breeds.
Twas thus a pair, who long time proved,
The joys to love, and be beloved,
At length fell out for trifling things;
From trifling, anger mostly springs.
The wish to please forsook each breast,
Love's throne by basest rage possessed,
Resolved to part—they'd meet no more,
Enough.—The chariot's at the door—
The mansion was my lady's own—
Sir John resolved to live in town:
Writings were drawn; each cause agreed;
Both vowed they'd ne'er recall the deed.
The chariot waits.—Why this delay?
The sequel shall the cause display.
One lovely girl this lady bore,
Dear pledge of joys she tastes no more;
The father's mother's darling, she,
Now lisped and prattled on each knee.—
Sir John, when rising to depart,
Turned to the darling of his heart,
And cried with ardour in his eye,
"Come Betty, bid Mamma good bye."
The lady, trembling, answered "No—"
"Go, kiss Papa, my Betty, go."
"The child shall live with me," she cried,
The child shall choose, Sir John replied.
Poor Betty looked at each by turns;
And each the starting tear discerns:
My lady asks with doubt and fear,
"Will you not live with me, my dear?"
"Yes," half resolved replied the child,
And, half suppressed her tears, she smiled.
"Come Betty," cried Sir John, "you'll go,
"And live with dear Papa, I know."
"Yes," Betty cried.—The lady then,
Addressed the wondering child again.
"The time to live with both is o'er;
"This day we part, to meet no more:
"Choose then,"—Here grief o'erflowed her breast,
And tears burst out, too long suppressed.—
The Child, whose tears and chiding joined,
Supposed Papa, displeased, unkind;
And tried with all her little skill,
To soothe his soft relenting will:
"Do," cried the lisper, "Pappa! do
"Love dear Mamma! Mamma loves you!"
Subdued, the source of manly pride,
No more his looks his heart belied;
The tender transport forced its way:
They both confessed each other's sway;
And prompted by the social smart,
Breast rushed to breast, and heart to heart;
Each clasped their Betty, o'er and o'er;
And Tom, drove empty from the door.
Ye that have passions for a tear,
Give nature vent, and drop it here.