He was a man among the few And all his strength from Scripture drew, That rule he priz'd, by that he fear'd, Nor ever frown'd, or sad appear'd, But when his heart had rov'd. For he was frail, as thou or I, And evil felt within: But, when he felt it, heav'd a sigh, Such liv'd Aspasio; and at last His joys be mine, each Reader cries, They shall be yours, my Verse replies, ON A SIMILAR OCCASION. FOR THE YEAR 1790, Ne commonentem recta sperne. BUCHANAN. Despise not my good counsel. HE who sits from day to day, Hardly knows that he has sung. Where the watchman in his round So your verse-man I, and clerk, And the foe's unerring aim. Duly at my time I come, Publishing to all aloud Soon the grave must be your home, And your only suit, a shroud. But the monitory strain, Can a truth, by all confess'd Of such magnitude and weight, Grow, by being oft impress'd, Trivial as a parrot's prate? Pleasure's call attention wins, Death and Judgment, Heav'n and Hell- O then, ere the turf or tomb Cover us from ev'ry eye, Spirit of instruction come, Make us learn, that we must die. ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1792. Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, Happy the mortal, who has trac'd effects THANKLESS for favours from on high, But he, not wise enough to scan To ages in a world of pain, To ages, where he goes Gall'd by affliction's heavy chain, And hopeless of repose. Strange fondness of the human heart, Enamour'd of its harm! VIRG. Strange world, that costs it so much smart, And still has pow'r to charm. Whence has the world her magick pow'r ? Why deem we death a foe? Recoil from weary life's best hour, The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews : Then anxious to be longer spar'd 'Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear, That prompts the wish to stay; He has incurr'd a long arrear, Pay!-follow Christ, and all is paid: |