Alexander Pope's Birthday Wish to Mrs. M. B.

Oh be thou blest with all that Heav'n can send, <br />Long Health, long Youth, long Pleasure, and a Friend: <br />Not with those Toys the female world admire, <br />Riches that vex, and Vanities that tire. <br />With added years if Life bring nothing new, <br />But, like a Sieve, let ev'ry blessing thro', <br />Some joy still lost, as each vain year runs o'er, <br />And all we gain, some sad Reflection more; <br />Is that a Birth-Day? 'tis alas! too clear, <br />'Tis but the funeral of the former year. <br />Let Joy or Ease, let Affluence or Content, <br />And the gay Conscience of a life well spent, <br />Calm ev'ry thought, inspirit ev'ry grace. <br />Glow in thy heart, and smile upon thy face. <br />Let day improve on day, and year on year, <br />Without a Pain, a Trouble, or a Fear; <br />Till Death unfelt that tender frame destroy, <br />In some soft Dream, or Extasy of joy, <br />Peaceful sleep out the Sabbath of the Tomb, <br />And wake to Raptures in a Life to come.<br /><br />Alexander Pope<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-mrs-m-b-on-her-birthday/