THE pious sire of ARLA rear'd her youth
Strongly to feel the great Creator's power;
In her pure bosom sow'd the seeds of truth,
And open'd Nature's inexhaustless store:
Early he led her mind
To pure religion's unadultered stream;
The young musician caught th' extatic theme,
And sung GOD'S glories to the sounding wind.
Call'd by his king to war,
He left her young,
To those impressions which his tender care
Had on her pliant heart imprinted strong.