—Ah, moralizing premature!
⁠And yet words half-supprest
May find some secret thoughts ensure
⁠Acceptance half-confest.

Full oft concealed high meanings work;
⁠And, scorning observation,
In gay unthinking guise will lurk
⁠A saintly aspiration;

No sickly thing to sit and sun
⁠Its puny worth, to pause
And list, ere half the deed be done,
⁠Its echo—self-applause:

No idler, who its kindly cares
⁠To every gossip mentions,
And at its breast a posy wears
⁠Of laudable intentions.

As of itself, of others so
⁠Unrecognised to seek
Its aim content, and in the flow
⁠Of life and spirits meek.