A sweet, retiring, simple, modest mien,
Not shunning, and not seeking to be seen;
A taste in dress and each domestic care,
Neat but not gaudy, pleasing without glare;
Such have I often wished “heaven’s last best gift” should be,
Such have I oft, with joy, remarked in thee.
An even temper, mild, endearing, kind,
A sound, discreet, and regulated mind,
Improved by reading, by reflection formed,
By reason guided, by religion warmed.
This have I often prayed “heaven’s last best gift” to be,
This have I oft, with joy, remarked in thee.
Benevolent to all, to soothe or cure,
But a firm friend to all the neighb’ring poor;
The poor in worldly goods, or bon ton merit,
The sunk in sickness, and the bow’d in spirit.
This have I often hoped “heaven’s last best gift” to be,
This have I oft, with joy, remarked in thee.
Possessing spirit, yet a gentle creature,
Lover of quiet and the charms of nature,
With no vain rage to simper, glare or roam,
Pleased if abroad, but mostly pleased at home.
This have I fondly hoped “heaven’s last best gift” to be,
This have I oft admired, sweet maid, in thee.
In person comely, rather than renowned,
In books conversant, rather than profound,
With too much sense to slight domestic duty,
Or sigh to shine a wit, or flaunt a beauty.
This have I fondly wished “heaven’s last best gift” to be,
Such have I seen thee oft, and often hope to see.
In virtue principled, in love sincere,
In manners guarded, in expression clear,
Kind to all others in a just decree,
But fixed, devoted, loving only me.
This have I ever hoped “heaven’s last best gift” would be,
This have I sought, and heaven-blest, found in thee.
Thee, in whose gentle manners, polished mind,
Grace, sweetness, taste, benevolence are joined,
Sense to engage, a naivete to admire,
Candor to please, and love itself to fire.
Thee have I fondly hoped “heaven’s last best gift” to me,
And all my hopes of bliss are hopes of thee.
[1823.]