Bare virtue could not live on praise;
That meat must be with money bought :
She therefore, upon second thought,
Infused, yet as it were by stealth,
Some small regard for state and wealth •
Of which, as she grew up, there staid
A tincture in the prudent maid:
She managed her estate with care,
Yet liked three footmen to her chair.
But lest he should neglect his studies
Like a young heir, the thrifty goddess
(For fear young master should be spoiled)
Would use him like a younger child;
And, after long computing, found
'Twould come to just five thousand pound. The queen of love was pleased, and proud, To see Vanessa thus endowed :
She doubted not but such a dame
Through every breast would dart a flame
That every rich and lordly swain
With pride would drag about her chain;
That scholars would forsake their books,
To study bright Vanessa's looks;
As she advanced, that womankind
Would by her model form their mind,
And all their conduct would be tried
By her, as an unerring guide.
Then bravely, fair dame,
Resume the old claim
Which to your whole sex does belong;
And let men receive
From a second bright Eve
The knowledge of right and of wrong.
But if the first Eve
Hard doom did receive
When only one apple had she;
What punishment new
Shall be found out for you,
Who, tasting, have robbed the whole tree?
WEET stream that winds through yonder glade,
Apt emblem of a virtuous maid
Silent and chaste she steals along
Far from the world's gay, busy throng,
With gentle yet prevailing force,
Intent upon her destined course;
Graceful and useful all she does,
Blessing and blest where'er she goes,—
Pure bosomed as that watery glass,
And heaven reflected in her face.
FROM TALES OF THE HALL," BY GEORGE CRABBE.
VILLAGE maid, unvexed by want or love,
Could not with more delight than Lucy move: The village lark, high mounted in the spring,
Could not with purer joy than Lucy sing;
Her cares all light, her pleasures all sincere,
Her duty joy, and her companion dear;
In tender friendship and in true respect
Lived aunt and niece, no flattery, no neglect―
They read, walked, visited-together prayed,
Together slept the matron and the maid:
There was such goodness, such pure nature seen
In Lucy's looks, a manner so serene;
Such harmony in motion, speech, and air,
That without fairness she was more than fair :
Had more than beauty in each speaking grace
That lent their cloudless glory to the face;
Where mild good sense in placid looks was shown,
And felt in every bosom but her own.
The one presiding feature in her mind,
Was the pure meekness of a will resigned;
A tender spirit, freed from all pretense
Of wit, and pleased in mild benevolence.
BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.
WEET Highland girl! a very shower
Of beauty is thy earthly dower;
Twice seven consenting years have shed
Their utmost bounty on thy head:
And these gray rocks; that household lawn;
Those trees, a veil just half withdrawn ;
This fall of water that doth make
A murmur near the silent lake;
This little bay; a quiet road
That holds in shelter thy abode-
In truth together do ye seem
Like something fashioned in a dream;
Such forms as from their covert peep
When earthly cares are laid asleep!
But, O fair creature! in the light
Of common day, so heavenly bright,
I bless thee, vision as thou art,
I bless thee with a human heart;
God shield thee to thy latest years!
Thee, neither know I, nor thy peers;
And yet my eyes are filled with tears.
With earnest feeling I shall pray
For thee when I am far away:
For never saw I mien or face
In which more plainly I could trace
Benignity and home-bred sense
Ripening in perfect innocence.
Here scattered, like a random seed,
Remote from men, thou dost not need
The embarrassed look of shy distress,
And maidenly shamefacedness;
Thou wear'st upon thy forehead clear
The freedom of a mountaineer;
A face with gladness overspread;
Soft smiles, by human kindness bred;
And seemliness complete, that sways
Thy courtesies, about thee plays;
With no restraint, but such as springs
From quick and eager visitings
Of thoughts that lie beyond the reach
Of thy few words of English speech-
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