The Virginia Gazette

To Mr. Parks,

If you think the following Question will be acceptable to your Readers, you are welcome to insert it in your GAZETTE, from Yours, &c.

ON a fair Vale, where fruitful Fields appear,
And Flora's Beauties flourish'd round the Year,
There dwells, and long has dwelt, an aged SIRE;
Where the Same Race Six Centuries did expire;
There his own Land with his own Cattle tills,
No Weight of Wealth, nor Poverty he feels;
The Wise Man's Wish he makes his highest Aim,
A frugal Plenty still supplies the same.
His Youthful Tears, in useful Arts did spend,
T' improve his Judgment, and instruct his Friend:
That his Generation might him useful find.
And Live to Die, as the Great God deign'd.
Recluse from Balls, from Masquerades, and Courts,
Where Vice Triumphant, with her Tools resorts;
Despis'd the Town, where Fops and Cullies roam,
And with his Choice sedately stay'd at home.
Now with Delight, as hoary Tears arrive,
He sees his Sons with Emulation strive,
Who shall his Morals nearest imitate,
Whilst he with Problems them does stimulate.
And they with Expectation for his Praises wait.

He well observes, but warily does praise
Left he should Strife not Emulation raise.
With winning Ways he calmly does correct.
Left thro' reproof his Counsel they reject:
Thus the SIRE,---- "My Sons, I you advise
"Fair Virtue choose,-deluding Vice despise;
"Let the Great God with Rev'rence be ador'd;
"Be Art your Sport, and live in one Accord.
"To what each Genius is by Nature made,
Be that his Art, his Calling, or his Trade;
"And then with Patience prudently pursue,
"Few Years will gain, what Ages never knew.
"And now, fair Youths, with Vigour make't appear,
"Which of your Brows the Paper Crown shall wear:
Resolve this query, which I here propose;
Your Pious Mother's, and my Age it Shows.