To thee dear wife,—and all must grant

A wife no common confidante,

I dare my secret soul reveal,

And utter every thing I feel.

This verse for instance, I design

To mark a female friend of mine,

Whom long, with warm affection's glee,

I've seen, and could forever see.

But hear me first describe the dame,

Then,—if your heart will let you,—blame,

I've seen her charm at forty, more

Than half her sex at twenty four.

Seen her with equal pow'r and ease,

Draw right to rule from will to please,

Seen in her modest manner join'd 

The just, the graceful, and the kind,

Seen her so frankly give, and spare

At once with so discreet a care,

As if her sense, and hers alone

Could limit bounty like her own,

Seen her, in simple nature's guise

Above arts, airs, and fashions rise,

And when her peers she had surpast,

Improve upon herself at last,

Seen her in such extent of merit,

In form, taste, judgement, temper, spirit

So perfect, that till heaven remove her,

I must admire her, court her, love her.

Molly, I speak the thing I mean,

So rare a woman have I seen!

And send this honest glass, that you

Whene'er you please, may see her too.