The day was mingled with the night, And scatter'd dreadful light; He breath'd, and sulphur ran, a fiery stream: He spoke, and (though with unknown speed he came) Chid the slow tempest, and the lagging flame. Sinai receiv'd his glorious flight, And rising smoke obscur'd the burning hill. The pyramids to Heaven aspire, And mix with stars, but see their gloomy offspring higher. So have you seen ungrateful ivy grow Round the tall oak that six score years has stood, And proudly shoot a leaf or two Above its kind supporter's utmost bough, And glory there to stand the loftiest of the wood. Forbear, young Muse, forbear; The flowery things that poets say, Are vain and useless here; Nor shall the burning hills of old Nor all that lying Greece has told, Not half so high Her lightnings fly, Not half so loud her thunders roar Cross the Sicanian sea, to fright the' Italian shore. Behold the sacred hill: its trembling spire Quakes at the terrors of the fire, While all below its verdant feet, Stagger and reel under the' Almighty weight; Press'd with a greater than feign'd Atlas' load, Deep groan'd the mount; it never bore Infinity before, It bow'd, and shook beneath the burden of a Gov. Fresh horrors seize the camp; despair, And dying groans, torment the air, And shrieks, and swoons, and deaths were there; [bands. Silence, and deep attention, through the Hebrew Hark! from the centre of the flame, All arm'd and feather'd with the same, Majestic sounds break through the smoky cloud: Sent from the All-creating tongue, A flight of cherubs guard the words along, And bear their fiery law to the retreating crowd. I am the Lord: 'tis I proclaim That glorious and that fearful name, 1 Thy GoD and King: 'twas I, that broke And thine the duty to fulfil. 'Adore no God beside me, to provoke mine eyes; Nor worship me in shapes and forms that men devise; With reverence use my name, nor turn my words to jest ; Observe my sabbath well, nor dare profane my rest; Honour, and due obedience to thy parents give; Nor spill the guiltless blood, nor let the guilty live: Preserve thy body chaste, and flee the' unlawful bed; Nor steal thy neighbour's gold, his garment, or his bread; Forbear to blast his name with falsehood, or deceit, Nor let thy wishes loose upon his large estate.' REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR, &c. ECCLESIASTES XII. CHILDREN, to your Creator, God, The memory of his mighty name Nor dare indulge a meaner flame G Be wise, and make his favour sure, When youth and mirth are known no more, No more the blessings of a feast Old age, with all her dismal train, With sighs and groans, and raging pain, What will ye do when light departs, How will you meet God's frowning brow, While nature's old supporters bow, Can you expect your feeble arms The silver bands of nature burst, The flesh goes down to mix with dust, Laden with guilt, (a heavy load) The soul returns to' an angry God, SUN, MOON, AND STARS, PRAISE YE THE LORD. FAIREST of all the lights above, Thou sun, whose beams adorn the spheres, And with unwearied swiftness move, To form the circles of our years; Praise the Creator of the skies, That dress'd thine orb in golden rays: Or may the sun forget to rise, If he forget his Maker's praise. Thou reigning beauty of the night, Arise, and to that Sovereign Power Ye twinkling stars, who guild the skies When darkness has its curtains drawn, Who keep your watch, with wakeful eyes, When business, cares, and day are gone : |