or to make any inquiries after the poor victim of his base ness. Be warned, fair daughters of innocence, by the wretched Harriet. Attempt not to deceive your parents. Let her example prevail upon you to believe, the most flattering appearances may conceal depravity, and that the protestations of a clandestine lover are seldom meant but to betray. fore it is plucked; and no sooner are their beauties faded, than the merciless hand which was eager to obtain them throws them away with contempt; whilst the primrose, the humble violet, the lily of the valley, and the snow-drop, less exposed to observation, escape unhurt and uninjured by the spoiler's hand. Learn, fair daughters of beauty, from the lily, to court the friendly shade; and from the primrose be convinced, that your best security may be found in retirement. If you wish to be admired, be seldom seen; and if you are desirous of having a sincere lover in your train, let virtue, modesty, and sweetness, be the only lures you make You may then, perhaps, by your good qualities, retain the heart which was at first a captive to your beauties; and when time has robbed you of the graces and the innocent cheerfulness of youth, secure a sincere and tender friend to console you in the hours of affliction, and watch over you when deprived of those charms that first made him solicitous to obtain your love. Repine not, my young readers, though your virtues be concealed in a homely form. If you have secured the virtues of the mind, you need not envy others the beauties of the face. And ye, who are decorated with every outward grace, be not vain of such fading externals; but tremble lest they should tempt the designing to lead you into but little chance of meeting a lover who will not grow indifferent to a mere portrait, particularly when its colours are faded by the subduing hand of time. Then it is that modesty and sweetness of temper are to be particularly observed; and the loss of beauty will not be regretted even by the man they first made your captive. |