INTEMPERANCE.
Parent! who with speechless feeling,
O'er thy cradle treasure bent—
Found each year new claims revealing,
Yet thy wealth of love unspent:
Hast thou seen that blossom blighted,
By a dire, untimely frost?
All thy labour unrequited—
Every glorious promise lost?
Wife! with agony unspoken,
Shrinking from Affliction's rod,
Is thy prop, thine idol broken,
Fondly trusted, next to God?
Husband! o'er thy hope a mourner;
Of thy chosen friend ashamed:
Hast thou to her burial borne her,
Unrepentant, unreclaimed?
Child! in tender weakness turning
To thy heaven-appointed guide:
Doth a lava-poison burning,
Tinge with gall affection's tide
Still that orphan-burden bearing,
Darker than the grave can show,
Dost thou bow thee down despairing,
To a heritage of woe?
