William Cowper
24. To a Young Lady.
Sweet stream that winds through yonder glade,
Apt emblem of a virtuous maid—
Silent and chaste she steals along,
Far from the world’s gay busy throng,
With gentle, yet prevailing, force,
Intent upon her destin’d course;
Graceful and useful all she does,
Blessing and blest where’er she goes,
Pure-bosom’d as that wat’ry glass,
And heav’n reflected in her face.
1813 Edition.