Jenks's Portland Gazette

AN ODE TO THE VIRTUES.

[By Peter Pindar.]

Oh, Virtues! you are pretty looking creatures;
But then so weak and feeble are your features!
Thou, charming Chastity, now, as example,
Who guard'st the luscious lip, and rosy breast,
And all that maketh wishing shepherds blest,
Forbidding thieves on sacred ground to trample.
Appear but Love, the savage, all is lost;
Faint, trembling, blushing, thou giv'st up the ghost;
Lo there's an end of all thy mingling care!
The field so guarded in the tyrant's power;
Each fence torn down, despoil'd each mossy bower,
All is rudely plunder'd, and laid bare.
Virtues! you blunder on our world, I fear---
Design'd for some more gentle sphere;
Where the wild passions tear ye not, nor tease ye,
Where every animal's a mild Martha.
I know your parentage and education--
Born in the skies—a lofty habitation—
But on a perfect system were intended,
Where people never needed to be mended.
How could you think the passion's to withstand,
Those roaring blades, so out of all command,
Whose lightest touch would pull you all to pieces?
They are Goliahs—you but little mice!
Then pray go home again each pretty dear;
You but disgrace yourselves by coming here.