22 



Bright beams of Truth the darkness cheer, 

 And guide the erring soul to steer 

 To heavenly sanctuary. 



Wooing the breeze, that softly sung 

 Along the shore, the rocks among, 



The lovely MYA lay ; 

 The little waves that danced to shore 

 With glittering showers laved her o er, 



Or cooled her with their spray. 



MYA ! fairest of shell-fish, she, 

 That creep the shore, or swim the sea, 



Or haunt the slimy ooze ; 

 Oyster of ancient family, 

 Of tender years, scarce summers three 



Her rounded valves disclose. 



Loveliest of Shrewsbury s favored race, 

 Adorned with every virgin grace, 



And fresh as earliest dew ! 

 With softest yellow shines her skin, 

 While violet blood, her veins within, 



Reveals a purple hue. 



