My child; pride of my life Once hop’d the staff of my declining years Thy slightest wish is sacred to thy father Go with thy virgin train, take leave of time Its joys are fleeting as the morning dew Tho’ to thy youthful mind they now appear most fair But why should’st thou be terrified at death Thou whose pure life? unblemished by a crime Scarce tinctur’d with the stain of Adam’s race Hast lived a miracle of sweetness Can thy chaste bosom feel a thought of fear At entering thy heavenly Maker’s presence It is my pride my only consolation To think that death’s a glorious boon to thee Snatching thy virtues from the numerous ills Which wait frail man even in his happiest state. ELIZABETH. No heart so innocent but feels most vile When ent’ring the dread presence of its maker Whose eye discerns the faults of spotless angels Who chargest his minist’ring spirits with folly What then is man, a creature form’d of dust To dare plead innocence before the Eternal Even Abra’m friend of God, and Moses sin’d What then am I a frail a feeble woman Whose idle thot’s, and vain desires betray, This foolish heart, each day to guilt and error But God is mercy, and I trust his grace Will pardon the sins and errors of my youth Reform my virtues, and inspire my soul With heavenly wisdom and immortal love. (_Enter_ BETHULAH, MAHALAH _and_ TIRZAH.) BETHULAH. Lead on my sister here’s our darling child Our lost Elizabeth. ELIZABETH. Not so my mother rather say she’s found Will not thy child be sav’d from many sorrows Is not a virtuous death an envied lot Perhaps God kindly calls me from a world Where luring pleasure might deprave my mind Its yet untasted bliss might stain my life With vain ambition, pride and love of wealth Perhaps the sins of Israel are not full And fell destruction waits to scourge the land Then when thou seest the matron vainly sueing For pity to the vile and murderous band Then wilt thou rejoice thy Elizabeth is safe. BETHULAH.