From humble Dust and common Earth
Whilst other Women take their Birth,
You, Waxy, boast a nobler Frame,
From more refin'd Beginnings came;
Hear, O! Thou Joy of every Heart,
What Thou hast been, and what Thou art.

First in gay Groves and blissful Bowers
Thy Charms were seen in opening Flowers,
Did in the Rose and Woodbine bloom,
And with their Sweets the Spring perfume;
Each fragrant Shrub, and every Tree
Once, Waxy, was a Part of Thee;
From whence the painful Insect drew
(As daily round the Fields he flew)
Of golden Wax the precious Store,
And to his Hive the Burthen bore.
Salmon did on the Bee refine,
And Heav'n compleated the Design,
Wak'd Thee to Life, divinely good,
In all the Charms of Flesh and Blood.

In every Change, through which you past,
I trace you down from first to last;
Sweet as the Flowers, in which you bloom'd;
Gay as the Groves, which you perfum'd;
Brisk as the Bee, which robs the Spring,
And thy Wit pointed like its Sting;
Soft as the Wax in Salmon's Hand;
And just as Heav'n, by whose Command
Dwells in thy Breast a living Soul,
The Hearts of Millions you controul,
And wrought with more than female Grace,
Triumph ev'n o'er your own fair Race.

But, oh! thus lovely as Thou art,
Thus form'd to melt the youthful Heart,
Scornful and cruel should'st Thou prove,
Deaf to the Vows and Prayers of Love,
Better that Wax Thou still had'st been,
At Salmon's for a Tester seen,
A shining, but a lifeless Mass,
By School--Boys gaz'd on through a Glass,
Than living make Mankind endure
Those Wounds you give, but will not cure.