The Boarding School; Lessons of a Preceptress to Her Pupils / Consisting of Information, Instruction and Advice, Calculated to Improve the Manners and Form the Character of Young Ladies. To Which Is Added, a Collection of Letters, Written by the Pupils to Their Instructress, Their Friends, and Each Other.

by Hannah Webster Foster

As emblems of your virtuous mind!

Pure as the first is seen in thee

Sweet blushing sensibility.

Carnations here their charms display,

And nature shines in rich array,

Od’rous, as virtue’s accents sweet,

From Laura’s lips with wit replete.

The myrtle with the laurel bound,

And purple amaranthus crown’d,

Within this little knot unite,