The CHOICE; or, DULL HOUR PAST. Isabella Kelly (née Fordyce) Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T122123 Kelly, Isabella, 1759-1857. Collection of Poems and Fables on Several Occasions. London W. Richardson 1794 pp. 5-8. 72p.

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The CHOICE ; or , DULL HOUR PAST . Heigho ! I'm wond'rous dull ; in truth I'm wond'rous sad — Little amusement , and the weather bad ; What shall I do ? I'll write — Come , ready friend — I mean my pen — Good folks , I pray attend : Still at a loss , I do not wish to teaze ; — My muse , assist me — teach me how to please — My thoughts are free — then , fancy , take thy range — I'll write my wish — no choice — pshaw , how I change ! Critics , be dumb — I will the thought impart , That some kind youth may bid for Anna's heart : He who aspires this little heart to gain , Some decent share of merit must attain ; Serene religion must his actions guide , Bright truth , nice honor , o'er his mind preside ; Prudence to guide him thro' life's busy scene , Never extravagant , nor ever mean ; Let him have sense designing men to see , Enough to rule himself and govern me ; To feel for human kind — a generous soul , To me devoted , but polite to all ; His temper kind — of that I must be sure — A husband's frown I never could endure ; To female weakness mild reproof impart , But with indifference never chill the heart ; No foolish fondness should he ever shew , But love refin'd , within his bosom glow ; His manner easy , gen'rous , void of art , Let ev'ry word flow candid from the heart ; His person pleasing , in his taste refin'd , A face the index of an honest mind ; To jealousy he never must give way , Trust to my honour , and I'll not betray ; No flatt'ring fribble shall my hand obtain , Where much is said , there little can remain ; A man for riches I can never prize , — Let kindness grant what adverse fate denies ; I wish not wealth , nor titles do I claim , Only let goodness mark his honest name ; To little errors I will kindly bend ; His wish , my law , I never will contend ; And , should he stray ( as none faultless be ) Prudence shall veil it ; for I will not see : A youth like this to share the cares of life , Shall find in me a kind and faithful wife . Ambitious females in their wealth may glee , — Love , worth , and honor , form the heart for me . Methinks ye frown — I hear ye loud exclaim , " To hope so much a female is to blame ; " In modern days , do you expect to find " Grace , worth , and goodness , with firm honor join'd ? " But if so high are your pretensions , tell " What do you boast ? in what do you excel ? " In great sincerity I now step forth , Confess my merit humble as my worth ; I boast no beauty — I no graces claim , And all my portion is , a spotless name ; Sincere and artless — Man exert your skill , With prudent fondness make me what you will . Blushing , methinks , I hear it said , " No more ! " No other claim ! — truly your merit's poor . " Yet , in life's varying maze , I hope to meet Some kindred heart , unpractis'd in deceit . To prove the tender friend — companion — wife , Will be the sweetest care of Anna's life ; With temper mild , and innocently gay , Submissive gentleness she'll ever pay . — My friends , adieu ! — my hour is past away .