Let coward Guilt with pallid Fear,

To shelt'ring Caverns fly,

And justly dread the vengeful Fate,

That thunders thro' the Sky.

Protected by that Hand, whose Law

The threat'ning Storms obey,

Intrepid Virtue smiles secure,

As in the Blaze of Day.

In the thick Clouds tremendous Gloom,

The Light'nings lurid Glare,

It views the same all-gracious Pow'r,

That breathes the vernal Air.

Thro' Nature's ever varying Scene,

By diff'rent Ways pursu'd,

The one eternal End of Heav'n

Is universal Good.

With like beneficent Effect

O'er flaming Æther glows,

As when it tunes the Linnet's Voice,

Or blushes in the Rose.

By Reason taught to scorn those Fears

That vulgar Minds molest;

Let no fantastic Terrors break

My dear Narcissa's Rest.

Thy Life may all the tend'rest Care

Of Providence defend;

And delegated Angels round

Their guardian Wings extend.

When, thro' Creation's vast Expanse,

The last dread Thunders roll,

Untune the Concord of the Spheres,

And shake the rising Soul:

Unmov'd mayst thou the final Storm,

Of jarring Worlds survey,

That ushers in the glad Serene

Of everlasting Day.