Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Parnassian Spring
MERRY and WISE.

By Lady Dorothy Dubois, eldest Daughter of the late Earl of Anglesey.

What tho' I a coach and six horses can't have,
They're matter of laughter to me;
A dash of the bitter the sweet makes more sweet,
I therefore contented will be.
If Fortune looks kindly, I'll bask in her smiles;
If frowning—my comfort is still,
That life's but a span, and good-humour beguiles
The time, be it bad as it will.
My friend proves unfaithful, I'll seek out a new,
Nor trouble my head about that;
I'll pity the changeling, I'll honour the true,
And cheerfully laugh and be fat.
To which I've a very good right,
A pair of good legs hath kind Providence gave
With a heart that's both honest and light.
My frame's not unwieldy, 'tis active and sound.
My appetite not very great;
A scanty provision sufficient is found,
If cleanly and wholesome, to eat.
Let epicures feast on their turtles for me..
Their ortolans, pheasants, and sturgeon
With Frenchify'd dishes, high sauces, and be
A prey to the doctor and surgeon;
With all kinds of wines let them pamper their taste
Nor ought to their palates deny:
If they to their latter end willfully haste.
On dress, pomp, and grandeur, I fix not my mind.
Themselves are to blame, and not I.
They're matters unworthy a care;
Beneath those fine trappings we oftentimes find
The stings of remorse and despair.
Gay Pleasure's a phantom exceedingly fair
Which vainly we hope to embrace:
We grasp at a distance, she melts into air,
And leaves not behind her a trace.
Then why should we make such a pother about
What no one could ever attain?
Tho' the sweet illusion is tempting, no doubt,
Till banish'd by old age and pain.
But soon we the idle pursuit of her charms,
By dear-bought experience, despise;
Then Blooming good-humour still dwell in my arms,
My motto be—MERRY AND WISE.