One of the first published female poets in America was Annis Boudinot Stockton, daughter of Elias Boudinot IV, wife of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Her correspondence with and poetic tribute to George Washington is noteworthy, but she wrote poems on many subjects. Today’s post will highlight a poem she is thought to have sent to Princeton student and fellow poet Benjamin Young Prime (1733-1791) around 1757. It may be found, along with all of her known compositions, in Carla Mulford, ed., Only for the Eye of a Friend: The Poems of Annis Boudinot Stockton.
Addressed to a Student of Divinity
How blest the youth whom Genius deigns to guide,
Thro paths of Science to fair wisdom's Seat —
Where virtue and philosophy preside —
And trample error underneath their feet.
Whose Steady mind can from the crowd retire —
In Search of truth to turn the historic page —
The rise and fall of empire to admire —
And mark the effect of vice on ev’ry age. —
Whose taste and fancy urge him to the groves —
O’er craggy rocks or mountain steep to climb
Or thro the secret haunts of nature roves —
And deeply meditates on themes sublime.
There taught by reason to controul the will —
And hush the Jarring passions into peace —
Their vast extent and influence to feel —
And how Combin’d with human happiness.
But happies he whom piety Controuls —
To shun a flattering world's deceitful way —
To break the bread of life to hungry souls —
And prompt the path of bliss to those that stray.
Genius and Science polish and refine —
Philosophy and virtue lend their aid —
While truth and wisdom mark the true divine —
Be this the path and this the pattern too —
Then follow on with all your noblest powers —
Nor let your Secret foes your mind subdue —
But to your Saviour dedicate your hours. —
