The Virginia Gazette

An ODE, addressed by the AUTHOR,
to his GUARDIAN ANGEL.

I.

SWEET Angel of my natal Hour,
Thou, to whose tutelary Pow'r
My infant Days were giv'n!
My bosom Friend! Companion dear
For ever kind, for ever near,
While such the Will of Heav'n!

II.

By thee inspir'd, the live-long Day
Roll'd lightly on in Peace and Play,
Calm Slumbers crown'd the Night
By thee, and simple Nature drawn,
E'er Reason spread her glimmering Dawn
I sought, and found Delight.

III.

Twas thou, whene'er I rang'd the Mead
That drew'st me from the pois'nous Weed
Of tempting purple Dye;
That drew'st me from the fatal Brake
Where coil'd in speckled Pride the Snake
Allur'd my longing Eye.

IV.

Ah, why so soon to Reason's Hand
Didst thou resign th'imperial Wand,
Why yield the ruling Rein?
With thee are all my Comforts fled:
And Woes on endless Woes Succeed,
A dire and gloomy Train!

V.

Can Zephyr hush the urging Seas,
Or whisper Silence in a Breeze,
While Boreas sweeps the Flood?
Can the soft Virgin's Voice restrain
The midnight Howlings of the Plain,
When Lyons' roar for Food?

VI.

So weak is Reason to controul,
Or sooth the Tempests of the Soul,
When torn by Passions wild:
Tho' Soft the Sound as Zephyr's Whisper
That whispers Tidings of the Spring
As Voice of Virgin mild.

VII.

Come then, resume thy guardian Pow'r.
Sweet Angel of my natal Hour,
To whom the Charge was giv'n!
Once more receive me to thy Care,
For ever kind, for ever near,
If such the Will of Heav'n.