Gazette Of The United States

FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.

ADDRESS

TO A BOOK OF POEMS, SENT TO A YOUNG LADY OF POETIC

POWERS.

O little tuneful tender book!

And fondly at thine image look;

As zephyr mild or purling rill,

On fair Narcia soft distil,

No wild romance above the life

To meet thee there in rival strife;

The graceful muse shall faithful prove,

To nature, harmony and love.

Refined delight the muse shall bring,

With silent step, or easy wing;

The kindling glow do thou improve,

And wake the youthful fair to love.

Then sing that hands as hearts should join,

That kindred souls alone intwine,

That joys on earth, and bliss above,

Are found in elevated love.

O! prightly pour the choicest lay!

This shall thy gentle task repay,

That as thy numbers cheerful roll,

Thou'lt love Narcia's feeling soul.

See yonder setting orb display,

The living blushes of the sky;

Now birds enchant, and nature's gay,

Nor all, fair page, with her can vie.

While riper virtues shall adorn

Than yet her tender age bestows,

We hail the day at dewy morn,

And pleas'd observe the budded rose.

Accept my song, and should'st thou choose

Attune it for the lovely maid,

Whose lyre awoke my slumbering muse,

And let it at her feet be laid.

Go, favor'd book, thy lot it seems,

Which I should highly prize,

Soft press her hand, deep drink the beams

Of sweet Narcilla's eyes!