Rocking of the cradle, or, Hushy-ba baby/The generous soul

THE GENEROUS SOUL.

LET Epicures boast of their delicate feasts,
⁠let drunkards enjoy their full bowl;
⟨They⟩ senst gives content tho' but homely the fare,
⁠(illegible text)l stile it the feast of the Soul

⟨Pleasure⟩ result from an earnest desire
⁠⟨to⟩ amuse and enliven the whole;
(illegible text) pleasure is mine, and I'll strive to inspire
⁠⟨the⟩ same in each Generous Soul.

(illegible text) mostly pedantic may boast of his power,
⁠⟨which⟩ generous thought to controul;
⟨about⟩ stoical apathy, reason ne’er checks
⁠⟨the⟩ social delights of the Soul.

⟨The⟩ beneficent hand of kind Nature has spread
⁠ profusion of sweets through the whole;
(illegible text) who would refuse of her bounties to taste
⁠(illegible text)t a sour and a splendid Soul.

Be our passions the gale, and let reason but flee
⁠then safe down the stream shall we roll;
And enjoy in the passage each pleasure that springs
⁠each social delight of the Soul.

With reason we'll take of the pleasures of life,
⁠with reason partake of the bowl;
And the blessings of health, love and friendship she crow,
⁠from whence springs the joys of the Soul.

Let us cherish the gift as a bounty most rare,
⁠let us seize on Old Time as it roll;
And when Nature forbids it, let's calmly resign
⁠the social delights of the Soul.