A FATHER's ADVICE TO HIS SON. John Gilbert Cooper Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
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Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
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Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T116245 1136 K093079.003 Pearch, G. A collection of poems in four volumes. By several hands. Vol. III. [The second edition]. London printed for G. Pearch 1770 pp. 112-116. 4v. ; 8⁰.

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A FATHER's ADVICE TO HIS SON . BY JOHN GILBERT COOPER , ESQ . DEEP in a grove by cypress shaded , Where mid day sun had seldom shone , Or noise the solemn scene invaded , Save some afflicted Muse's moan ; A Swain towards full ag'd manhood wending , Sat sorrowing at the close of day , At whose fond side a Boy attending , Lisp'd half his father's cares away . The father's eyes no object wrested , But on the smiling prattler hung , Till , what his throbbing heart suggested , These accents trembled from his tongue . " My youth's first hopes , my manhood's treasure , " My prattling innocent , attend , " Nor fear rebuke , or sour displeasure , " A father's loveliest name is Friend . " Some truths , from long experience flowing , " Worth more than royal grants receive , " For truths are wealth of heaven's bestowing , " Which kings have seldom power to give . " Since from an ancient race descended " You boast an unattainted blood , " By yours be their fair fame attended , " And claim by birthright to be good . " In love for every fellow-creature , " Superior rise above the crowd ; " What most ennobles human nature " Was ne'er the portion of the croud . " Be thine the generous heart that borrows " From others joys a friendly glow , " And for each hapless neighbour's sorrows , " Throbs with a sympathetic woe . " This is the temper most endearing ; " Tho' wide proud Pomp her banners spreads , " An heavenlier power good-nature bearing , " Each heart in willing thraldom leads . " Taste not from Fame's uncertain fountain , " The peace-destroying streams that flow ; " Nor from Ambition's dangerous mountain , " Look down upon the world below . " The princely pine on hills exalted , " Whose lofty branches cleave the sky , " By winds long brav'd , at last assaulted , " Is headlong whirl'd in dust to lie ; " Whilst the mild rose more safely growing " Low in its unaspiring vale , " Amidst retirement's shelter blowing , " Exchanges sweets with every gale . " Wish not for Beauty's darling features , " Moulded by Nature's fondling power ; " For fairest forms 'mong human creatures , " Shine but the pageants of an hour . " I saw , the pride of all the meadow , " At noon , a gay Narcissus blow " Upon a river's bank , whose shadow " Bloom'd in the silver waves below . " By noon-tide's heat its youth was wasted , " The waters as they pass'd , complain'd ; " At eve its glories all were blasted , " And not one former tint remain'd . " Nor let vain Wit's deceitful glory " Lead you from Wisdom's path astray : " What Genius lives renown'd in story , " To happiness who found the way ? " In yonder mead behold that vapor , " Whose vivid beams illusive play , " Far off it seems a friendly taper , " To guide the traveller on his way ; " But should some hapless wretch pursuing , " Tread where the treacherous meteors glow , " He'd find , too late his rashness rueing , " That fatal quicksands lurk below . " In life such bubbles nought admiring , " Gilt with false light , and fill'd with air , " Do you , from pageant crowds retiring , " To peace in Virtue's cot repair . " There seek the never-wasted treasure , " Which mutual love and friendship give , " Domestic comfort , spotless pleasure , " And bless'd and blessing you will live . " If Heaven with children crowns your dwelling , " As mine its bounty does with you , " In fondness fatherly excelling " The example you have felt pursue . " He paus'd — for tenderly caressing The darling of his wounded heart , Looks had means only of expressing Thoughts language never could impart . Now Night her mournful mantle spreading , Had rob'd with black the horizon round , And dank dews from her tresses shedding , With genial moisture bath'd the ground : When back to city follies flying , 'Midst Custom's slaves he liv'd resign'd , His face array'd in smiles , denying The true complexion of his mind ; For seriously around surveying Each character in youth and age , Of fools betray'd and knaves betraying , That play'd upon this human stage , ( Peaceful himself and undesigning ) He loath'd the scenes of guile and strife , And felt each secret wish inclining To leave this fretful farce of life . Yet to whate'er above was fated , Obediently he bow'd his soul ; For , what all-bounteous Heaven created , He thought Heaven only should controul .