466 
Armine and Elvira * 
" And sure that Heav’n my hopes shall bless., 
“ And make thee fam’d for virtues fair* 
“ And happy too, if happiness 
“ Depends upon a parent’s prayer : 
“ Last hope of life’s departing day, 
“ In whom its future scenes I see 1 
“No truant thought shall ever stray 
“ From this lone hermitage and thee. 
Thus to his humble fate resign’d, 
His breast each anxious care foregoes ; 
All but the care of Armine’s mind, 
The dearest task a parent knows ! 
And well were all his cares repaid ; 
In Armine’s breast each virtue grew. 
In full maturity display’d, 
To fond affection’s anxious view. 
Nor yet neglected were the charms. 
To polish’d life that grace impart ; 
Virtue, he knew, but feebly warms, 
Till science humanize the heart. 
And when he saw the lawless train 
Of passions in the youthful breast, 
He curb’d them, not with rigid rein, 
But strove to soothe them into rest. 
“ Think not, my son, in this,” he cry’d, 
“ A father’s precept shall displease : 
“ No : be each passion gratify ’d, 
“ That tends to happiness and ease. 
“ Nor shall the ungrateful task be mine, 
“ Their native gen’rous warmth to blame, 
“ That warmth if reason’s suffrage join 
“To point the object and the aim. 
“ This suffrage wanting, know, fond boy, 
“ That ev’ry passion proves a foe; 
“ Tho’ much it deals in promis’d joy, 
“ It pays, alas l in certain woe. 
“ Complete ambition’s wildest scheme ; 
“ In power’s most brilliant robes appear 5 
