Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Parnassian Spring

ON SHAME.

SPRING of Heav'n, puissant Shame!
From the pure skies to mortals came,
The roving Virtues to invite
Back to the sacred paths of right;
Mad Licence's daring feet restrain
By Decency's all-pow'rful chain:
And hands, to fraud already bred,
Prevent by salutary dread,
Ev'n when involv'd by fav'ring time
In actual danger of the crime.
'Tis Thine, with fear-dejecting face,
To haunt Guilt's ever quicken'd pace:
And, where remorse incessant reigns,
Add Horror's deep corroding pains:
But far unlike Thy gentle sway
O'er those who Virtue's laws obey.
Their ruler Thou, with grateful pride,
They see Thee sitting by their side.
With guardian care, Thy piercing eye
Surveys the tempting fields of Joy,
And keeps fair Virtue's wav'ring feet
Secure in Wisdom's blest retreat.
And Thou with ever graceful mien;
The friend of Chastity art seen.
Not brighter fair Aurora beams
Effulgence o'er the sparkling streams,
Nor decks the skies with lovelier hues,
Than when Thou dost the cheeks suffuse
Of some fair maid, in beauty bright,
And Modesty's celestial light.
Heightened by Thee, the blushing rose
On the white neck and sweet lips glows.
By Thy omnipotent command,
The griping miser opes his hand.
Rous'd by Thy voice from musing deep
Ev'n Sloth forgets his wonted sleep.
And he who trembles while afar
Resounds the dreadful din of war,
Compell'd by Thee; with tenfold rage,
In the mad tumult dares engage.
Sometimes atrocious Guilt awhile
Gay on th' oppressor's front may smile;
But soon Thy vengeful terrors wake,
And fierce the ruthless villain shake.
Oh! by thy gentle influence blest,
Incessant be my grateful breast;
Or potent, rule with stronger sway,
And force me from the tempting way,
Averse alike from folly's wiles,
Pleasure's gay scenes, and guilt-revolving smiles.