The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

SEAT OF THE MUSES.

The bold Man's Prayer.

Parent of nature, justice, and of right!
Fountain of wisdom, and true source of light,
Teach me myself to scan:
Inspire my soul with notions just of thee,
From all my actions as they ought to be,
As relative to man--
O give me friends! but make me far above
Their gifts, their sympathizing tears and love,
That so they may prove kind.
For I have found by long experience,
That those are people of the greatest sense
Who no professions mind.
O give me health, that o no Doctors may
First make me worse, then after make me pay:
Thou can'st me cure or kill.--
Make me but good, my neighbours will be just;
With law-suits, Lord, O let me not be curst!
I hate the Lawyer's bill!
If thou in justice think'st I want a wife.
To make my bed and smooth the cares of life,
And keep my bones from pain.
O give me one obedient to my call;
But should she kick, or drink, or scold, or brawl,
Lord take her back again!
Diffuse fair Liberty through ev'ry clime,
May she expand her wings to endless time,
And Frenchmen live secure,
From impious craft and clack'ning chains,
From the Bastile and racking pains,
Which erst they did endure!
Thou great first cause hast made me, and my breath
I know must cease in what we men call death;
In this thou hast done right,
Whate'er remains (for yet of souls I know
But very little) let them timely go,
And join thy essence, light!

J. A. N.