The New Hampshire Gazette

TO MODESTY:

HAIL! Modesty! who still art seen
With blushing cheek and downcast eye;
Yet beauty courts thy bright display,
That flushing crimson o'er the eyes;
Then shifts its sweetly varied dyes
Alternate to the view.

Sweet Maid! who in thyself retir'd.
Art fearful most to be admir'd,
And seeks thy charms to hide
For modesty by soft control,
With sway, more powerful rules the soul
Than Beauty's conscious pride.

Behold that yet unfolding rose,
Whose buds but half themselves disclose,
Yet lists a rich perfume;
Say, can the tulip to invite,
So charm the sense, so feast the sight
In all its gaudy bloom?

Without thee ev'n the Muse's flame,
Which boasts a Heav'n inspiring claim
Were but a vulgar fire;
And love, best passion of the mind,
But that by thee 'tis rais'd refin'd,
Would sink to low desire.

O had'st thou temper'd Sappho's lay,
And calm'd imperious passion's sway,
She ne'er had sought the steep;
Nor from its height, by love inspir'd,
Urg'd by disdain, to madness fir'd,
Plung'd headlong in the deep.

Say, could the wave alone assuage,
Within her breast the glowing rage?
Then dread ye sex, her fate;
And hence be taught a modest part
Alone can charm a lover's heart,
Alone can fix your fate!