SELECTION OF POEMS. ON THE CREATION. WE to JEHOVAH's altar bring May he inspire us, while we sing But how shall we exalt his name, And fashion'd all things out of naught ? Who, 'midst the realm of ancient night, By his bare fiat form'd the light, And bade this beauteous fabrick rise. Celestial hosts of cherubs, say, Rais'd with stupendous arch, the skies New risen from the liquid bed. The marshall'd waves with headlong course Retreat from the up-rearing land, And rally their divided force, Obedient to the great command. Nocturnal lamps, their measur'd round The sun, just lighted, rears his head. Unbrooded flocks in ether play, The deep enliven'd shines in scales; There infant eagles brave the day, Here drops commence enormous whales, But O! what numbers shall we find Resemblance of himself imprest, Ye glorious works of heav'n and earth, Weekly Amusement. CHARACTER OF THE FAIR SEX. THROUGH many a land and clime a ranger, To stranger's ills a constant prey. While steering thus my course precarious, But women grateful, true, and kind. Alive to ev'ry tender feeling, To deeds of mercy always prone, No proud delay, no dark suspicion, Form'd in benevolence of nature, When parch'd with thirst, with hunger wasted, Her courteous looks, her words caressing, EPIGRAM ON A LAME BEGGAR. I AM unable, yonder beggar cries, To stand or move; if he say true, he lies. Dr. Donne. TO A YOUNG LADY, WITH A NOSEGAY. THOU canst not steal the roses bloom To decorate thy face; These violets scent the distant gale, So rising worth new merit gains, Nor wilt thou e'er that lily's white Now, in the op'ning spring of life, The budding virtues in thy breast This nosegay in thy bosom plac'd, A moral may convey: For soon its brightest tints shall fade, And all its sweets decay. |