i^M 
 
 Bro^/me 
 Poem on the imir.ortality of the soul
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND
 
 
 POEM 
 
 ON THE 
 
 IMMORTALITY of the SOUL. 
 
 Tranflated from the Latin of 
 ISAAC HAWKINS BROWN Efq; 
 
 By J. C RAN WELL, M. A. 
 
 Late Fellow of Sidney-College in Cambridge. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, 
 
 Printed by J. Bentham, Printer to tlie University; 
 
 For R.Matthews, Bookfeller in Cambridge-, Sold by J.Rivington in 
 St. Paul's Church-Yard, A. IMillar in the Strand, T. Payne at the Mews- 
 Gate, London i and J. Fletcher in Oxford. 
 
 M.DCCLXV.
 
 TO 
 
 
 NICHOLAS BONFOY Efq; 
 Of Abbots Ripton in the County of Huntington, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 IT would be rather an Infult than CiviHty to a bad and irre- 
 ligious Man, to prefent him with the Tranflation of a Poem, 
 that muft difpleafe at leaft, if not terrify and deject him. 
 
 The defire of Immortality is indeed the natural defire of 
 Man ; it being the defire of Happinefs without end ; and to 
 fuppofe a Perfon deftitute of it, or indifferent about it, is to 
 fuppofe him not to love himfelf, and then he ceafes to be a Man. 
 
 But the folly and misfortune of many is, that although they 
 defire, and cannot help defiring fo ineftimable a Good, yet they 
 want to have it without conditions and reftraints ; they would 
 have the Supreme P^uler of the World obtrude it upon them, 
 whether they will or no ; and not leave it precarioufly to depend 
 upon the part, they chufe to a6l on this ftage of life. 
 
 You, good Sir, have a Mind too fenfible and too enlightened 
 to indulge fo wild a thought : You know, that none but the 
 virtuous have room to expect it in a view of Reafofiy and that 
 
 A 2 to 
 
 8G5667
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 to none but the Virtuous, Revelatiofi hath promlfed it: You 
 know, that exclufive of fuch a Hope, it is not worth while to 
 live, and that inclufive of it, every Blefling of Life is improved, 
 every Affliction in it foftened. 
 
 The Man then, who is fo wife, as to have laid a fure Foun- 
 dation for this Hope, will with pleafure attend to the many 
 various, and unanfwerable Arguments, which this divine Poem 
 hath urged in fupport of the Soul's ImmortaHty ; and a full 
 Convidion of this joyful Truth upon principles o^ natural Reafofty 
 will be an auxiliary to our Faith in thofe fuller difcoveries of 
 Immortality which Revealed Religion hath given us, and which 
 Revealed Religion alone could give. 
 
 I am 
 
 SIR, 
 
 with all due Refpe^l, 
 your moft obliged 
 
 and moft obedient Servant, 
 
 J. CRANWELL.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ^T^HOSEy who know me^ will noty I believe, fufpeci me of the 
 
 Va7iity of fetti7ig up the followi?ig Tra?iJlatio?i as a Rival to 
 
 that elega?it o?ie in the Sixth Folu?ne of Dodfley's Mifcellames : 
 
 for what a flly Ambition would it be, to think of outJJjini?ig a 
 
 Writer, whom to be able to imitate would be 720 mean Praife. 
 
 But in truth', it is in Poetry^ as in Pai7iti7tg, and other the 
 
 fine Arts j when a7i Original is exquiftely finiped, 77ia7iy will be 
 
 trying to copy it, to fee how near they can approach ; a?id why is 
 
 not this hu77J0ur, as pardonable in the Brethren of the ^ill, as 
 
 in thofe of the Pe7icilf 
 
 I was defrous of printing the Origi7tal with this Ferfion, al- 
 though fe7ifble to how great a difadvantage, i7i a co7nparative vieiv-, 
 it mufl have appeared', as the Original is fo perfeSi in every re- 
 fpeSl : — In the beauty, har77207iy^ and dig7jity of the Stile : — In the 
 force, --variety, a7id precifion of the Reafo7iing. — Befdes, 710 Man 
 of tafie and skill in the two La77guages, how partial foever to his 
 own mother-tongue, can think it, either in ExpreJ/ion or Majefly, 
 equal to the Roman. However, I could not obtain that favour 
 of the Proprietor, as it would interfere with a projeBed Sche77ie 
 of republifDi7ig the Original, with other of the Autlm^'s Works • 
 which, I doubt not, will be an additional honour to his 77ie77iory. 
 
 1 hope the intended Republication will not be lo7ig deferred, as 
 the Original is but in few hands, aiid not to be purchafed, but by 
 Accident ; the Owners, likefo 7na77y Poetical Virtuofos, locki7ig it 
 
 tip
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 up in their Cahiiiets^ as a choice Jewel -y efpecially thofe^ who are 
 7iot only delighted with the Jine?tefs of the Compofttioii^ but likewife 
 interejled in^ a?jd tiiade happy by the truth it i?jculcates. 
 
 Should it be asked^ why^ as things Jlandy did you publijlj a new 
 Tranjlation^ when ten or eleven years have elapjed^ fince the Poem 
 came out', fo that it is in fame i7teafure ohjolete and forgotten f 
 I anfwer, for that very reafon \ my inteiit being to revive it in 
 Mefis memories, and make them impatie?it for a new Edition : 
 and they will have reafon to thafik me, fjould I be the hiflrumentt 
 either of accelerating or infuring it. 
 
 Befides, the Englifj Reader is concer?ted only in an EnglifJj 
 Tranfation ; and although there be three already, yet I k?iow 7iot 
 whether it be eajy to procure any one of the?n, excepting Mr. 
 Jennyns's, which is only to be 7net with iji that Gentlema?is owji 
 Poe?ns^ or Dodfley's Mifcellanies ; and even to thofe, who are ifi 
 poJjefJi07i of all or a7ty of them, it may not be wipleafi7ig perhaps 
 to fee fo great a Beauty in a 77ew drcfs, fnce a love of Novelty 
 is i7npla7ited in our Nature. 
 
 Lajlly, in this age of feoff ers at Religion, what can be 7nore 
 feafo7iahle^ than to have Men awake7icd [awakened too by a Ge7itle- 
 man who could have no Prieflcraft, and whofe Fortune fet hi7n 
 above a7iy lucrative view) to the truth of the Soufs l77i77tortality 
 by argU7nents of C077777i07i fenfe a7id reafon f as it prepares the way 
 for their receptic7i and love of the Gofpel; which alo7ie has brought 
 Ma7i s whole l77i7?iortality fully to light. 
 
 ON
 
 ON THE 
 
 IMMORTALITY of the SOUL. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 ALL Creatures elfe on Earth enjoy the ftore 
 That Heav'n allots them, nor repine for more. 
 Man, Man alone, ambitious to behold 
 The mighty works of Nature, and unfold 
 The Springs whence all her operations rife, 
 A painful Labour unavailing tries : 
 For lo ! on fable pinions hov'ring near, 
 Stern Death arrefls him in his mid Career. 
 How fhall our Thoughts this dark Event explain, 
 If Heav'nly Wifdom never ads in vain ? 
 Say, to what end in human Nature fpring 
 Thefe Seeds of Science, if no Fruit they bring? 
 For what imports with philofophic eye 
 To pierce the fecrets of Futurity ; 
 Unveil great Nature's Laws, in fancy rove 
 With boundlefs freedom thro' the Realms above; 
 Since All muft tread, by Fate's relentlefs doom, 
 One gloomy Journey to the filent Tomb ? 
 
 How
 
 8 On the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 I low wlfer far, to vvafte each fofter hour 
 
 With lovely Phillis, in the Sylvan bow'r! 
 
 Or join, great Bacchus ! with thy jocund throng 
 
 In midnight dances, and the feftal fong ! 
 
 For jovial Bacchus, God of Pleafurc, knows 
 
 To banifh Senfe of paft, and Fear of future vv^oes. 
 
 Come then, let all Life's circling moments roll 
 In Mirth and Banquets ; crown the m.antling Bowl : 
 Let fprightly Mufic all it's graces join, 
 Neasra's Lyre, and Chloe's Voice divine : 
 Sei^c evVy fleeting Inftant on the wing, 
 Nor dream of Cares To-morrow's dawn may bring. 
 
 But foon a Surfeit of thefe joys we find; 
 They fcarce are tafted e'er they pall the mind. 
 Let Things more ferious then our Thoughts imploy, 
 Unbounded Wealth, or Glory's dazzling joy ; 
 Go where Ambition calls, let Crowds each Day 
 Obfequious Homage at your Levee pay. — 
 Alas ! no Change you find, when all is done, 
 Fatigu'd Life's beaten path you ftill but run ; 
 For All is Vanity beneath the Sun. 
 
 Say then, what fafer track fhall Man explore ? 
 What Star condud him to the friendly fliore ? 
 Tho' here in Matter's gloomy Cell confin'd. 
 In fearch of Science, fee ! the reftlefs Mind, 
 Impell'd and guided by mere Nature's light, 
 To Truth Eternal wings her arduous flight. 
 
 ! 
 
 Befides,
 
 G;/ the Immortality of the SouL \ 
 
 Befides, no tranfient fading Blifs flie claims, 
 But Joys adapted to her nobler aims ; 
 Pleafures no Change can blaft, no Time confume, 
 Thro' Ages fmiling in immortal Bloom. 
 
 Then banifh all Sufpicion from your breaft j 
 For heav'nly Counfel ever plans the befi;. 
 Kor fhall tlrofe Chains that mould'ring Bodies bind, 
 Opprefs the free-born Vigour of the Mind^ 
 Secure that genuine Principle remains, 
 Untouch'dj uninjur'd by corporeal ftains : 
 And when unfettered from thefe earthly ties, 
 She foars triumphant to her native skies ; 
 Crown'd with the Pleafures of immortal Youth, 
 She'll quaff nedlareous Streams that flow from endlefs Truth. 
 
 But whiift we live (if ought deferve the Name 
 Of Life, imprifon'd in this mortal frame) 
 The Soul grows dull, fupprefs'd her ad;ive fprings. 
 Nor mounts aloft on her exulting wings. 
 Yet ev'n on Earth in many points we trace 
 Expreflive tokens of her ancient race. 
 Whence does the force of Memory proceed ? 
 How recollects fhe each remoter Deed? 
 Learns various Things in Method to reduce, 
 With Order range them, and difpofe for Ufe ? 
 Sure in mere Matter never can reflde 
 Such coftly Treafures, or be thence fupply'd. 
 
 B Sh(
 
 10 On the Immortality of the Soul^ 
 
 She too, th' laventrefs of each Art below, 
 That various Flonours did on Life beftovv ; 
 Gave Names to Things, and taught the Tongue to bind 
 In letter'd Sounds th' Ideas of the Mind; 
 Reduc'd from Cave or folitary Den 
 To Towns and Cities the rude Race of Men ; 
 Stridl Laws imposed, and Men, Hke Beafts, disjoin'd, 
 In fecial leagues of Amity combin'd : — 
 What's This, but Senfe fublime, diviner Force, 
 And Virtue kindled at th' etherial Source? 
 
 Th' impetuous Streams of Eloquence, that roll 
 With rapid torrent on th' aftonifh'd foul, 
 Bear down the Pafllons in their headlong courfe, 
 And mix the Thunder with the Lightning's force : — 
 Whence are thefe Pow'rs deriv'd ? Can ou2:ht on Earth 
 Produce this Fire etherial into Birth? 
 What think you of the Poet's pleafing vein, 
 His polifh'd Numbers, and harmonious Strain? 
 V/hether, to charm the Ear, he flows along 
 In all the varying melody of Song \ 
 Or calls forth Wonders with enchanting art, 
 To ftrike the Fancy and pervade the Heart ; 
 His Soul breathes Nothing of an earthly Clime, 
 But all is lofty, all is true fublime. 
 And when thofe fcenes that crowd this narrow fphere, 
 For ever circling in one dull Career, 
 
 Afford
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul, 1 1 
 
 Afford no full Enjoyment to the Mind, 
 
 That pants for PJeafures of a nobler kind ; 
 
 The facred Poet this Defedl fupplies, 
 
 Bids brighter Objedls in Idea rife ; 
 
 On Truths fublime th'enraptur'd Soul employs. 
 
 And gives us Earnefl: of immortal Joys. 
 
 What fhall I fiy of that exalted Tribe, 
 Thofe Sons of Science, who with skill defcribe 
 By what £x'd Laws celeftial Bodies run, 
 In various Orbits, round the central Sun ? 
 How fweeping Comets urge their rapid race, 
 Thro' airy Regions of unbounded Space; 
 How the fix'd Stars with native fplendour blaze, 
 While humbler Planets beam refleded rays? 
 Sure Minds, that with fuch glowing Ardour burn. 
 From Heav'n defcended, mufl: to Heav'n return ! 
 
 Whence cou'd this be, unlefs the purer Mind 
 From earthly dregs were totally refin'd ? 
 Confcious of her own A6ls, flie hates, fhe loves, 
 She grieves, rejoices, as each Paflion moves ; 
 From her own fertil fource with eafe fupply'd. 
 She fcorns th' afliftance of a foreign Guide. 
 Unaided ftill fhe various Schemes purfues, 
 Objects compares in all their feveral views; 
 Colleds the Parts of Truth that fcatter'd lie, 
 And blends united in one focial tie. 
 
 B 2 Hence
 
 12 On the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 Hence fhe unlocks great Nature's fecrct fprings, 
 
 And Arts Hill rear'd on Arts to nice Perfedion brings, 
 
 Then by jufl: order of progreffive Laws, 
 
 She mounts triumphant to th' Eternal Caufe, 
 
 Whence the long Series of Events depends, 
 
 Which, like a Chain, from HeuV'ns high Throne defceiids^ 
 
 Next in herfelf with curious fearch flie pries, 
 
 And marks the young Ideas as they rife ; 
 
 Traces the fource whence infant Thoughts begin, 
 
 And her own Fabric fcarce efcapes unfeen. 
 
 Say we fuch Pow'r from fenlelefs Matter flows ? -j 
 
 What mere Machine it's Operations knovvs>. ^ 
 
 Or what it's vital Nutriment beftows ? J 
 
 For each grofs Body, but a mere Machine,. 
 
 Moves by external impulfe, not within. 
 
 Then ceafe to meafure the rich Pow'rs of Mind, 
 By the low Studies of the Vulgar Kind. 
 But raife your Thoughts to thofe brave Sons of Worth, 
 From Rome or Athens who deriv'd their birth ; 
 Or Thofe Britannia bore, of equal praife. 
 Fair Nurfe of Heroes in her happier Days. 
 
 How many Godlike Poets have been found ? 
 Sages, for Laws or Eloquence renown'd? 
 Worthies of old, who toiling not in vain, 
 Swept the vile Rubbifn from fair Learning's Fane. 
 Before the reft, to Science led the way 
 Great BACON, radiant as the Source of Day. 
 
 He
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul, 13 
 
 He from rude drofs firft piirg'd the golden Mine, 
 And taught the World Philofophy divine. 
 Where furc Experience the true Pathway fhovv'd, 
 Bold and fecure he trac'd th' unerring road ; 
 And previous did the flaming Torch difplay, 
 To light Immortal NEWTON on his way. 
 
 Illuftrious Souls ! if ought on Earth can move 
 Superiour Spirits in the Realms above ! 
 If favour'd Albion yet deferves your care, 
 Oh I give us ftill your ancient Worth to fhare : 
 From floth fupine th' awaken'd Soul to raife, 
 Smit with true Virtue and heroic Praifs. 
 
 Thefe rich Accomplifliments on Menu beflow'd, 
 Are, 'tis confefs'd, th' immediate Gift oPGod ; 
 That Heav'n at various Intervals defign'd, 
 Amidft th' extended Nations of Mankind, 
 Some choicer Spirits fhou'd like Stars appear, 
 To flied a Luftre o'er our earthly Sphere : 
 That by the force of thefe Examples led, 
 A flothful Age might rear it's daftard head ; 
 And learn from Chiefs of fuch illuftrious race. 
 It's own celeftial Origin to trace. 
 
 That fome Pofleflions mufl: belong to Man, 
 Beyond the limits of this earthly fpan. 
 We all conceive ; 'tis felt in ev'ry breaft ; 
 A Truth by learn'd Antiquity confefs'd ; 
 
 By
 
 14 On the Lmnortality of the SouK 
 
 By Nature's voice proclaim'd ; nor dwells a Race 
 So rude, (o favage on Earth's ample fpacc, 
 But in the profpeil of an Age to come 
 Exnlts it's views, and triumphs o'er the Tomb. 
 
 Hence the ftrong Oak, which flowly grows, we plant 
 For diftant Uies, and a future Want. 
 Thus too the Pyramid of wond'rous fize 
 Lifts it's huge bulk, and wafiing years defies. 
 
 Hence a frail Life, that foon on Earth mufl: end. 
 We fondly ftrive in Glory to extend. 
 For of fuch juft Efleeni is Heav'n-born Fame, 
 So fweet the Incenfe of a lafting Name; 
 That Men of gen'rous Souls no Dangers fhun, 
 No toils, to make Pofterity their own. 
 That the rich Honours which their Deeds adorn, 
 May live the Theme of Ages yet unborn. 
 
 Do'ft thou not fee, tho' doom'd to inftant Death, 
 The wretched Convid: with his latefl: breath, 
 His guilty Deeds impenitent difclaim, 
 And wound his Confcience, to preferve his Fame ? 
 Thefe marks of future Being are imprefs'd, 
 By Nature doubtlefs in the human breaft. 
 Hence is the Mind folicitous to know, 
 What Judgement Time will on our A<fls beftow. 
 But if the Soul's extind: ; if Man become 
 Mere Dufl: and Afhes in the mould'ring Tomb ; 
 
 Say,
 
 i 
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul, 15 
 
 Say, what avails remote Applaufe to crave ? 
 
 Fame comes too late, that comes beyond the Grave. 
 
 What mean the fun'ral Rites? the Care difplay'd 
 With coftly Monuments to grace the Dead ? 
 Some, when the captive Soul has wing'd her way, 
 The lifelefs Carcafe to the Earth convey ; 
 Place Chaplets on the Tomb, and ev'ry year 
 With mournful Pomp the folemn Rites prepare; 
 As if the blisful Shades requir'd their Care. 
 Others on blazing Pyres the Bodies burn. 
 And lodge their Afhes in the faithful Urn ; 
 That hence the Relicks, which the Flames furvive. 
 May the wild rage of wafteful Time outlive. 
 
 Why lliou'd my Mufe record the Deeds of thofc, 
 Whofe fertil Fields the fwelling Nile o'erflows ? 
 No Bodies here are in the Flames confum'd, 
 (So Cuftom didtates) nor in Earth entomb'd : 
 But from within they ftrip the Entrails bare, 
 And cleanfe the Carcale with a decent care : 
 Then in the hollow'd fpace, a various ftore 
 Of od'rous Spices, mixt with pitch, they pour : 
 This task perform'd, with fillets clofe they bind 
 The parts, to keep them in due order join'd : 
 Carv'd on the Lid an Image laft is feen. 
 The fair refemblance of the Form within. 
 Thus ail Mankind with Confidence prefume, 
 Tho' Earthly Bodies moulder in the tomb; 
 
 The
 
 1 6 Of/ the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 The Soul fhal] floiirifli in immortal Prime, 
 By Fate uninjur'd, unimpar'd by Time. 
 
 Behold ! where Ganges laves the Indian Coafts ! 
 There, with difdain of Life, whole favage hofls 
 Of Men, fpontaneous rufli into the Eire j 
 Or prone at Altars of their Gods expire. 
 Urg'd with a reftlcfs blind defire to gain 
 Thofe blisful Regions, which the Fates ordain, 
 In Skies ferene where cloudlefs Suns appear, 
 And Spring perpetual crowns the fmiling Yean 
 
 Nor lefs to Fame the Eaftern Wives are known ; 
 They nor with gufhing Tears, nor female moan. 
 Their Husbands Fate bewail i but mount the Pyre, 
 And bravely perifh in the fun'ral fire : 
 By Love impell'd the fame dread path to go, 
 And light the Nuptial Torch in happier Realms below. 
 
 Where the bleak North and endlefs Snows deface 
 The frozen foil; behold a warlike Race! 
 With favage Virtue arm'd, in All the fame, 
 They rufh thro' raging Swords, and wafteful Flame. 
 This noble Ardour, and contempt of Light, 
 In gen'rous Souls what Paffion can excite ? 
 What- but the profpe6l of a fair Renown, 
 Thro' endlefs years their Patriot Worth to crown } 
 
 Add too thofe Scenes inventive Poets feign, 
 Tartarian Rivers, and th' Elyfian plain. 
 
 'Suppofe
 
 17 
 
 \ 
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 Suppofe we grant thefe idle Tales at beft, 
 Are only artful Ficlions of the Prieft. 
 What then ? No ground for Falfehood had been laid, 
 Had Nature never to the Mind convey 'd 
 A glympfe of future, tho' but faintly fhown; 
 Since each feign'd Tale fome previous Truth muft own. 
 
 But as the Thought is difficult we find, 
 To form an Image of unbody'd Mind ; 
 The Vulgar, keeping to pure Nature's road, 
 Have on the Soul corporeal Shape beftow'd, 
 Peculiar Manfions, and a fix'd Abode. 
 Others, to whom thefe common Notions feem 
 But airy Phantoms, and an empty Dream ; 
 Strangers to unembody'd Souls, prefume 
 Their whole Exiftence fwallow'd in the tomb. 
 Thefe fcorn the Toils, to Men of Science known, 
 Or deem it mean their Ignorance to own. 
 For nicely to diflinguifli Falfe from True, 
 Is but the great Prerogative of Few. 
 Rouze then from Sloth, nor genuine Truth defpife, 
 Tho* wrapt in Falfehood's dreary Shade fhe lies, 
 Or the vain Poet's infolent difguife. 
 
 When God's Exiftence is allow'd by all, 
 May we not This the voice of Nature call ? 
 Yet what falfe Notions have the World maintain'd ? 
 What Things unworthy of the Godhead feign'd ? 
 
 C To 
 
 1
 
 1 8 On the Immortality of the SouL 
 
 To Him the hcedlefs Vulgar have aflign'd, 
 The various Paflions of the human Mind ; 
 And Gods in endlefs Multitudes increafe, 
 As Hope exalts them, or as Fears deprefs. 
 Whatever of ufeful Service they efteem'd, 
 Thefe as propitious Pow'rs are fondly deem'd ; 
 While all the Objeds of their Hate or Fear, 
 As Gods tyrannic and unjufl: appear. 
 Nay, to fuch height this Frenzy reign'd at lafl, 
 That fliapelefs Beafts for Deities have pafs'd ; 
 Honours Divine they ev'n on Leeks beftow'd, 
 And the vile Onion was enroU'd a God. 
 
 Pond'ring thefe Things, th' ATHENIAN Sage of old, 
 With Voice prophetic to late Times foretold, 
 That when appointed years their courfe fhou'd end, 
 Some glorious Perfon wou'd from Heav'n defcend ; 
 (And Time at length felf-rip'ning into birth, 
 Produc'd this great Divinity on Earth : ) 
 Who, like the orient Sun, might chafe away 
 The Clouds of Darknefs, and unveil the Day ; 
 The Mind thro' Falfehood's wild Maeanders lead, 
 And guide her Footfteps with th' unerring Thread. 
 
 Meantime the World fome glympfe of Truth beheld, 
 By Nature's guidance, tho' in Clouds conceal'd. 
 Then let us follow where Conjedlure tends, 
 Nor fcorn th' afliftance honeft Reafon lends. 
 
 I own
 
 On the Immortality of the SouL 19 
 
 I own that Matter and impafllve Mind, 
 By mutual Laws are oft in Concert join'd : 
 Yet from variety of Proofs we trace 
 Her d iff 'rent Nature, and Etherial race. 
 
 Oft do we fee within the fturdieft breafl. 
 And limbs of Oak, the mental Pow'rs fupprefs'd ; 
 And yet in Bodies of a feebler kind, 
 Difcover Symptoms of th'acuteft Mind. 
 Beddes, if when the Body refts entomb'd. 
 The Sifter Soul is to Deftrudlion doom'd \ 
 "Bt^ the fame Rule, Difeafes that affail 
 Terreftrial Bodies, fhou'd o'er Minds prevail. 
 Whereas, ftern Death advancing on his way, 
 When the worn Limbs are haft'ning to decay, 
 'The Pow'rs of Mind, are often livelieft feen, 
 And the Soul feels a vital Force within ; 
 Then Eloquence more fweetly flows along, 
 And Words Prophetic grace the Dying Tongue. 
 
 Again, if Spirit but derives it's birth 
 From quick'ning Seeds of elemental Earth ; 
 How comes it, when we reft in Sleep repos'd, 
 When all the Inlets of mere Senfe are clos'd. 
 And outward Objedl now no more remains ; 
 That the free Soul her native Strength retains : 
 Nay, ev'n from Earth with fprightlier Vigour fprings, 
 And mounts triumphant on expanded Wings ? 
 
 C 2 Like
 
 20 On the Lmnortality of the Souh 
 
 Like a glad Bird, that from her Prifon flies, 
 On fwiftefl: Pinion foaring to the Skies. 
 
 Now if the Soul be Matter, 'tis confeft 
 She mud of Atoms Infinite confift : 
 Hence evVy Part will be itfelf a Mind, 
 Have Reafon, Faflion, in it's Frame combin'd, 
 And Ail to diff'rent Ways will be inclin'd. 
 Amidft thefe various broils and ceafelefs ftrife, 
 Where fliall we find one equal Courfe of Life? 
 Say, on what foil can Truth and Juflice grow^ 
 Or confcious Virtue find a place below ? 
 
 Perhaps you'll fay, the various Pow'rs of Mind 
 To certain Forms of Matter are confin'd ; — 
 As if by obfervatioii it were found, 
 That the Square Figure's wifer than the Round : — 
 Shou'd you fubftrad, or add a certain Heap? — 
 Number's no more than Figure, Size, or Shape. — 
 With Colours, white or black, 'tis juft the fame 3 
 No real Diff'rence in the Mind they frame. 
 
 Perhaps the Pow'r, whence Cogitation flows. 
 It's ftrength and origin to Motion owes. 
 What Wonders fpring not from this fruitful fource ? — 
 Mufl: Reafon, Science, Mem'ry, Will, Difcourfe, 
 From Weights and Pullies then derive their force? 
 The Top by School-Boys lafK'd, is doubtlefs found 
 To grow Ingenious, as it v/hirls around. 
 
 1 
 
 And
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul. 21 
 
 And thus the Water that in Cauldrons glows, 
 With boiling Streams of Eloquence o'erflows. 
 Where then the Springs of Motion fliall we find ? 
 Not in the Force of Matter, but the Mind. 
 And o'er the World as Heav'n's great Pow'r is fhown, 
 So Body 's guided by the Mind alone. 
 
 Then ceafe to wonder, that She flill remains, 
 When once unfetter'd from thefe earthly chains. 
 The Wonder's greater, what Deftroys the Mind, 
 Her EfTence fimple, not of Parts combin'd. 
 Whence by her natural Pow'rs impafiive made. 
 No Force her airy Texture can pervade. 
 Befides, no Foreign Influence fhe needs, 
 The Pow'r of Motion from Herfelf proceeds-; 
 And in this native Principle fecure. 
 The Mind thro' endlefs Ages mufl: endure. 
 
 But if to Things nor Place nor Form we leave, 
 'Tis hard, you fay, their Being to conceive. 
 If fo, what think you of th' Eternal Mind ? 
 That by no Place or Figure is confin'd. 
 Unlefs perchance no other God you own, 
 But a material Deity alone. 
 But if the fame be Spirit, pure and free 
 From earthly Mixture ; fuch the Mind mufl be. 
 For what difcovers more internal Worth, 
 Or better fpeaks the glories of it's Birth ? 
 
 Hence
 
 22 On the hmnortality of the Soul. 
 
 Hence while the Soul and Body ftill unite, 
 She tries cxxurfions, and prepares for flight; 
 Mere Guefl: on Earth flie aims at Heavn's abodes, 
 And longs to vifit her paternal Gods. 
 
 Go now, admire what Life's fliort Pleafures bring, 
 Fly, like the curious Bee, with glitt'ring wing 
 From Flow'r to Flow'r ; fip Nature's vernal bloom, 
 Feaft on the Air awhile, then drop into the Tomb. 
 Of human Life is This the utmoft boaft? 
 Are all our Wiflies periOi'd thus and loft? 
 Our mighty Hopes and Promifes all vain ? — - 
 That, only That 's the genuine Life of Man ; 
 When Truth's celeftial Form v/e fhall behold, 
 Not forc'd, as now, her Beauties to unfold 
 By flow degrees, and ftep by ftep proceed, 
 Where Meditations mazy Windings lead j 
 But with quick glance of Intuition feen, 
 Bright as the face of Day, all cloudlefs and ferene. 
 
 But, were the Senfes gone; perhaps you'll fay, 
 What Pow'r can Objects to the Mind convey ? 
 Since from this Source all human Knowledse flows. 
 By This 'tis nourifli'd, and by This it grows. 
 And were this rich luxuriant Fountain dry, 
 At once fair Science unfupply'd muft die. 
 
 W^hat? when the Senfes are by Sicknefs made 
 Weak and infirm, their native iprings decay'd ; 
 .Does not the Mind adminifter her aid ? 
 
 Art
 
 On the hnmortality of the Soul, 23 
 
 Art can with founds th' obftruded Ear delight, 
 And poHfh'd Glafies aid the feeble fight. 
 
 Hence oft in Life fhe nobly foars on high, 
 Above the Lot of frail Humanity. 
 Now calls each wand'ring Planet from the Skies, 
 Now opes Earth's inmoft Secrets to our eyes ; 
 Views fubt'lefl: Objeds, that efcape the fight, 
 And brings the Wonders of a World to light. 
 
 What ? when the Mind by her judicious view, 
 Corrects the Errors that from Senfe enfue ; 
 When, as all Obje(fls diff'rently appear 
 In Shape and Size, beheld remote or near ; 
 The Truth from fpecious Falfehood fhe retrieves. 
 And her juft Verdidl 'gainfl: the Senfes gives ? 
 Prove not thefe Signs fome fecret, inborn Worth, 
 Some heav'nly Vigour, unally'd to Earth ? 
 May we not then by fair conjetSlure fay. 
 When Death diffolvcs this Tenement of Clay, 
 The Mind, that now fome fhort Excuriions tries. 
 And with faint EiTort fpreads her wings to rife ; 
 Shall difencumber'd take a freer flight, 
 To Truth unbounded in the Realms of Light. 
 
 How this can be, we neither yet muft know. 
 Nor much imports it in this State below. 
 Know'ft thou thy Life within the Womb confin'd ? 
 Say, what are Beauteous Colours to the Blind ? 
 
 But
 
 24 Of' th^ Immortality of the SouL 
 
 But flill he finds, to Others is reveal'd 
 What partial Nature has from him conceal'd. 
 
 Ev'n thus, from all this Earth contains, the Mind 
 Can Nothing equal to her Wifhes find. 
 All Objcifls lofe. their Beauty and decline, 
 Conipar'd with that eternal Form Divine, 
 WJiich deigns within His bofom to refide. 
 Whom TJioughts fijblime and heav*n-born Genius guide. 
 On this chief Good he lays his firmeft ftrefs, 
 This, This alone he labours to pofi^els. 
 Abfent from This he feels continual care. 
 And pines in fecret for his abfent Fair. 
 And, like a Lover, warm'd with keen dcfires. 
 From the vain Converfe of the World retires, 
 To Groves, and Fountains, and fequePter'd Bow'rs^ 
 Where mufing he may wafte the lonely hours; 
 And footh thofe Ills that human bofoms throng, 
 By facred Wifdom, or the Pow'r of Song. 
 
 Hence, all thefe Matters fairly weigh'd, I own 
 That Man poflef^'d of Kappinefs alone ; 
 Who having ample views of Nature made, 
 And all Life's folemn Theatre furvey'd 
 With equal Mind; — the glorious Orb of Day, 
 Fire, Clouds, this Earth, and circumambient Sea; 
 Like a full Gueft, now fatiate with the view. 
 Regains Iiis native Seat, and bids the World Adieu ! 
 
 For
 
 On the Immortality of the SouL 25 
 
 Kor whether we furvive an hundred years, 
 
 Or Fewer reckon, the fame Scene appears; 
 
 Life's wheel maintains one conftant tedious round. 
 
 And nothing New beneath the Sun is found. 
 
 Then all that Time which here on Earth you live, 
 
 Like fome throng'd Place of Intercourfe conceive. 
 
 Or public Inn; where haft'ning to an End, 
 
 Midft Cares and Trifles all our Days we fpend. 
 
 Who firfl: from Life a fair Difmiffion gains. 
 
 He firft with joy the vvifh'd-for Port obtains. 
 
 Then hafte, and timely furl the fpreading fail, 
 
 Lefl; on the Way thy fcant Providon fail. 
 
 Why loiter here, and wafte thy Time in vain? 
 
 Of dire Difeafes, fee ! a dreadful train 
 
 Crowd at thy heels ! and fcarce arrives a Day 
 
 But fome lamented Friend is fnatch'd away : 
 
 Add to thefe ills Old Age, to num'rous fnarcs a Prey. 
 
 But whither does the Theme my Thoughts engage ? 
 We muft not unpermitted quit the Stage, 
 Plac'd betwixt Hope and Fear on this Abode, 
 To follow where our Gen'ral points the road. 
 Thro' Life's revolving Courfe what Ills we fhare, 
 Heav'n Wills; and Man th' appointed Load muft bear. 
 
 But were I Certain, by one common Doom 
 That Soul and Body perifh in the Tomb; 
 Without Delay moft willingly I 'd go. 
 Where, foon or late, all Mortals here below, 
 
 D Life' 
 
 }
 
 26 On the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 Life's Farce concluded, take their dcftin'd flight 
 
 To cold Oblivion, and Eternal Night. 
 
 Nay, wou'd th' Almighty Pow'r his Laws deftroy, 
 
 And grant me envy'd Youth to re-enjoy, 
 
 This Life from Infimcy again to chufe, 
 
 The great, the tempting Boon I wou'd refufc. 
 
 Noi were I here of all thofc Gifts poflefs'd, 
 Which render human Life fupremely blcfs'd ; 
 The Force of Genius, and flrong native Senfe, 
 Unenvy'd Honour, Morals, Eloquence; 
 Children in long fucceflive order, known 
 By their paternal Virtues, and their own. 
 Not all thele Bleflings fhou'd my fleps retain, 
 To tread on Earth Life's beaten paths again; 
 The Mind at nobler Objecfls foars on high, 
 And nothing Mortal can her Views fupply. 
 
 ON
 
 ON THE 
 
 IMMORTALITY of the SOUL. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 GOD then in all the various Works he made. 
 Has marks of true Benignity dilplay'd. 
 The Creatures, that Earth's ample Bounds contain, 
 All live compleatly Happy — all but Man. 
 He, juftly deem'd the nobleft Work on Earth, 
 God's Image, and the feed of Heav'nly birth ; 
 He, of all living Species, mourns alone. 
 And Heav'n's fierce Anger is difcharg'd on One. — 
 Far from our breaft fuch impious Thoughts be driv'n, 
 This vain Repining at the Ways of Heav'n I 
 
 Yet view with me Life's fpacious Scene around. 
 On ev'ry fide what num'rous Ills abound ! 
 Not, here or there, by Fortune's random blow, . . 
 But the whole human Race is doom'd to woe. 
 How many Thoufands are in Battle flain? 
 What Numbers weep beneath Oppreflion's chain, 
 While each fad Day but brings augmented pain ? 
 Many, tho' Nature yields a large fupply, 
 By wretched Famine unaflifled die. 
 
 D 2 Some 
 
 1
 
 i8 On the Immcrtaluy of the SouL 
 
 Some to acute Difeafes fall a Prey ; 
 
 Others in Anguifli linger Life away. 
 
 Thefe fuffer Guiltlefs all ; for with Dllguft 
 
 I pafs the Vot'ries of intemperate Lufl:. 
 
 In Virtae's-felf what Profit may be found ? 
 
 Say, with what due Reward are Morals crown'd ? 
 
 I grant to Virtue all we fairly may, 
 
 I own the Greatnefs of her boailcd Sway ; 
 
 That She inflrufts us, each corroding Care 
 
 In Life, She cannot Remedy, to bear ; 
 
 Sooths unavoided Ills with Hope ferene, 
 
 And makes us calmly reconcil'd within ; 
 
 Forbids fierce Pafilons in the breafl: to move. 
 
 And ftills the Tumults of impetuous Love. 
 
 But yet fo little can her Pow'r avail, 
 
 All the dire Woes of human Life to heal ; 
 
 That oft ev'n Virtue (might I dare to fay ! ) 
 
 Ev'n Virtue's-felf to Dangers points the way. 
 
 They, whofe hard Fortune binds them to the Will 
 
 Of lawlefs Tyrants, muft of courfe be 111. 
 
 Virtue, unhappy Virtue only finds 
 
 Contempt and Hatred from Defpotic Minds. 
 
 What Numbers, well-deferving of the State, 
 
 From Thofe they fav'd, have met untimely Fate ? 
 
 And fhou'd fome noble Genius rife to view, 
 
 In Worth Superior to the vulgar Crew ; 
 
 With
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul. 29 
 
 With Viper's malice they attack his Name, 
 And f^iit their noifome Poifon on his Fame. 
 But grant, he fliou'd at length the Clouds difpel, 
 That all his Virtues from the World conceal; 
 And from Obfcurity advanc'd on high, 
 Some public Station in the Realm fupply : 
 He for ungrateful Men muft bend his Care, 
 Each bitter kind of Contumely to bear ; 
 The Dangers, that th' unruly Mob create. 
 And the far worfe Ambition of the Great.- 
 Hear This, Ye fond of Honours and a Name, 
 And learn what Perils crowd the road to Fame! 
 
 Is Happinefs in Private Stations found ? 
 There too, Luft, Anger, Villainies abound ; 
 Falfehood, that oft the mask of Friendfhip wears, 
 Strife, Hatred, and the Law's perfidious Snares. 
 
 But there is ftill one Cordial Drop in Life, 
 To footh our Sorrows — an Endearing Wife. 
 Soft flow your Hours in calm domeftic Blils, 
 Sweet Babes around you clamber for the Kils ; 
 With artlefs Smiles Life's daily Toils affwage, 
 E'erlong the Bulwark of your tott'ring Age. ^ - 
 
 Here then we Reft, here reap confummate Joy : — 
 But can no Cares this fterling Blifs alloy ? 
 Why fhou'd I mention, what too oft we find. 
 How Each to difF'rent Humours is inclin'd. 
 
 Befides ;
 
 30 On the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 Befides; the Manners we can ne'er defcry, 
 Till Hymen knits th'indiffolublc Tie. 
 And fhou'd we Then repent, 'tis all in vain ; 
 No Force diffolves the Matrimonial Chain. 
 Whate'er our Lot, the Die of Life is caft, 
 And our hard Fate purfues us to the laft. 
 
 Again ; what Parent can with Juftice fay, 
 That All his Sons fhall Virtue's Laws obey ; 
 Be Men of Worth, and fteady to their Truft, 
 In ev'ry Adion, Honeft, Fair, and Juft ? 
 But fhou'd thcfc cnvy'd Blcffings all confpirc, 
 To crown with wifli'd Succefs your fond Defire ; 
 Sudden thcfe blooming Hopes Death fweeps away, 
 And clouds the Profpedl of your faireft Day. 
 
 But fure from Virtue never can proceed 
 Thefe dire Difafters ; 'tis a point agreed. 
 Did all Mankind in Adlion, Word, and Thought, 
 Their various Duties pradife as they ought ; 
 No fairer Objed, or of fweeter mien 
 Than lovely Virtue, wou'd on Earth be feen. 
 The World's firfl: Age once more it's head wou'd raife ; 
 But ah ! We live not in thofe Golden Days. 
 
 Hence fome Two Sources of the World have feign'd, 
 And Two Eternal Deities maintain'd. 
 Whereof the One, endu'd with evil Will, 
 Becomes the Fountain of all human 111 : 
 
 The
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 The Other heals each dire effe6l of Strife, 
 
 And fooths with Med'cine the fad Cares of Life. 
 
 Hence Crops of Good and III promifcuous rife, 
 
 And in the rofeate Bow'rs the dreaded Adder lies. 
 
 If then Two Pow'rs prefide o'er Nature's courfe, 
 
 Are they of Equal, or Unequal Force? 
 
 If Equal, all Things wou'd to Chaos fall, 
 
 Or no Creation had been form'd at all : 
 
 For where nor Good nor Evil Pow'r prevails, 
 
 In even Balance reft th' oppofing fcales. 
 
 But if Unequal, then without delay 
 
 This Pow'r to That wou'd yield the fov'reign Sway ; 
 
 And He, who fhou'd the glorious Conqueft gain, 
 
 Wou'd blot the Marks of Difcord from his Reign. 
 
 Then hence thefe Fidions of the Eaflern foil. 
 
 And all th' amphibious Monfters of the Nile ! 
 
 Quitting thefe idle Maxims, fhall we find 
 More fage Opinions in the Stoic's Mind? 
 With peevifh Pride He fcorns to deem as Good, 
 Fame, Riches, Honours ; by the World purfu'd. 
 Such, merely Trifles, He afFeds to call, 
 Or claims Alone Poflefllon of 'em All. 
 Claims, tho' he fpends his Days unknown, diftrefs'd, 
 With all the weight of Penury opprefs'd. 
 In fuch rare Notions what Advantage lies ! 
 Oh I what a glorious Privilege to be Wife I 
 
 By
 
 1 
 
 On the hnmortality of the Sou!, 
 
 By the fame happy Rule, confiflcnt ftill, 
 
 He never fancies Pain to be an 111. 
 
 To greedy Flames his wretched Carcafe to/s, 
 
 Pierce with the Sword, or Torture on the Crols; 
 
 You'll never once oblige him to complain 
 
 There 's any Evil in th'acutefl: Pain, 
 
 By what Name then are thefe Difafters known? 
 
 Why, They are Inconveniences, he'll own. 
 
 What 's Health, Strength, Beauty ? Thefe are Goods, you'll fay — 
 
 Not to be Wifh'd, yet Taken on our Way. 
 
 From fuch vile quibbling what Diftindlion fprings, 
 
 When all the dift 'rence lies in Words, not Things ? 
 
 Stoic 1 you then might fairly live, I own, 
 Without Externals, were you Mind alone ; 
 But till that Time, remember What you are, 
 Man— -in whole Frame the Body claims a fliare. 
 
 But if, whatever Good beyond us lies, 
 Capricious Fortune gives us, or denies ; 
 Her Favours now to Me, now Others fhown. 
 Nor Ought remains that's properly our own ; 
 What great Advantage can this wife Man claim ? 
 Who, like the common herd of vulgar Fame, 
 Finds all the Glories of his boafted PowV, 
 Hang on the dubious Tenure of an Hour. 
 Befides ; that ftrength of Mind, on which depend 
 Thofe mighty Ble flings, ev'n Yourfelf contend 
 
 Are
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul. 33 
 
 Are Objecfls worthy our fupreme Defire ; 
 How oft difeafes damp this vig'rous Fire ? 
 How oft deftroy ? that fcarce the Trace is known, 
 Where once the Flame with brighteft Splendor fhone. 
 See ! One, whofe Counfel, One whofe conqu'ring Sword, 
 
 Loft to all Hope, Britannia's State reftor'd, 
 Th' extent of Wifdom and of Virtue (how. 
 And yet how frail the Flow'rs of Genius blow ! 
 
 He too, that late within our Notice fell. 
 Who reach'd the Summit of all Writing well. 
 Whether the Droll's facetious Art he fhows, 
 In all the Charms of Poetry, or Prole ; 
 How nobly Great this mighty Genius fhone ? 
 Yet o'er his head few Years, alas! were gone. 
 When lo ! the Same I each Mental Pow'r decay'd, _ . . 
 
 Himfelf furviving, a mere Idiot made ! 
 So true it is, that in our mortal Courfe, 
 There 's nothing Sacred from external Force. 
 
 And yet, O Stoic ! fliall thy Sentence find 
 A fair Allowance in the reafoning Mind. 
 For if, when Death difTolves this vital chain. 
 No fix'd Rewards or Punifhments remain ; 
 Obferve from hence what Confequence we gain. 
 Or God unjuftly rules this World's Affairs, 
 Or no Concern for human Welfare bears , 
 Or if a gracious Providence prefide. 
 And All by Meafures of ftrid Juftice guide j 
 
 E opprefs'd 
 
 1
 
 34 On the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 Opprefs'd with Ills no virtuous Man remains, 
 Nor Villain Happy ; as the Stoic feigns. 
 
 Involv'd in num'rous Errors, oh! how blind. 
 How fadly darken'd is the human Mind! 
 Which the fix'd bounds of Truth no fooner gains, 
 But there in dull Aftonifhment remains; 
 And near the End arriv'd, yet leaves the Whole 
 Short and uniinifh'd e'er flie reach the Goal. 
 And can you then, O Stoic ! freely own. 
 That God's flridl Juftice in his Works is fhown. 
 Yet not from hence difcern his ricrhteous Will ? 
 Proceed, brave Friend, with ftrenuous Ardour flill; 
 PuHi your rcfearches, where the Pathways lie, 
 To the broad Regions of Eternity. 
 « That State, whate'er it be, lies hid in Night, 
 " And gloomy Clouds conceal it from our Sight." 
 Your Confidence alone this Blindnefs brings. 
 Hence the thick Night, the fatal Darknefs fprings. 
 Becaufe you Triumph e'er you win the Race, 
 And ignorant one mighty Whole to trace. 
 You flop imperfedl in the Midway fpace. 
 Thus idle Sophifts dream ; thus fruitful flioot 
 A thoufand Errors from one Parent root. 
 
 The point I wou'd deduce now fairly hear — 
 We grant th' Exiftence of a God is clear. 
 If then the Deity be Wife and Good, 
 Who with a force Omnipotent endu'd, 
 
 1 
 
 Brought
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul, 55 
 
 Brought the fair Order of this World to light. 
 
 As fings the Bard, Il^hatever Is, is Right. 
 
 Nor can the Laws of Equity ordain. 
 
 That Virtue fufFer; Vice in Triumph reign. 
 
 Yet fuch the Cafe ; if, when we yield our breath, 
 
 The vital Spirit lies abforbt in Death. 
 
 IFhat Is, is Right, if one vafl All you view, 
 
 But {hou'd we Perifh, the Reverie is true. 
 
 With higher Thoughts a good Man and a wife 
 
 Connects both Worlds, and fees their mutual ties. 
 
 But there are Some, by empty W'ords mifled, 
 Who partially the World's great Syftem read ; 
 And dreaming little of a Future Fate, 
 Confine Exiflence to Life's Prefent ftate. 
 Hither each Thief, each lewd Adulterer makes, . 
 And the fell Ruflian this Afylum takes. 
 
 The God of Nature did fix'd Laws ordain, 
 Which Man attempts to violate in vain. 
 Whether an ill or virtuous Life he leads. 
 Imports it not; th' ellablifh'd Courfe proceeds. 
 No Change we wretched Mortals can create, 
 Vv'ith fleady Motion runs the ftream of Fate. 
 
 Tell me what Order, or what Laws you mean? 
 For One to Man, a diff 'rent Lav/ is feen 
 To Brutes ordain'd ; and flill a Third we find 
 To Matter, void of Reafon, is aflign'd. 
 
 E 2 Matter,
 
 ^6 On the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 Matter, as from Experience may be fliown, 
 Is urg'd by force of Gravity alone. 
 Hence by fuperior foreign Pow'r imprefs'd, 
 'Tis ft ill attradled, and attracts the reft ; 
 And hence from Motions fitly form'd, is {(z^w 
 Firm and compadl Creation's vaft Machine. 
 
 Why ftiou'd I next the various Orders trace 
 Of living Tribes; the fprightly feather'd Race, 
 The tamer Cattle, or the favage kind, 
 Or thofe in Ocean's fertil Deeps confin'd ? 
 Thefe Creatures roam not thro' the World in vain ; 
 Some fecret Laws their headlong Force reftrain. 
 Of thefe fix'd Rules whatever be the fource. 
 Or natural Inftindt, or fair Reafon's force, 
 In jufteft meafures to their Wants aftign'd ; 
 Some Scope they have proportion'd to their kind. 
 With skill they feek their daily fare, oppofe 
 Their proper weapons to repel their Foes; 
 Bring forth their Offspring, and with kindlieft food 
 Suftain their tender unexperienc'd Brood. 
 Each fliares thefe Toils, thefe Pieafures Each receives, 
 Thefe are the fole Enjoyments Nature gives ; 
 No other Fear, no other Hope is known, 
 Compleatly happy in this gift alone. 
 
 But lordly Man fublimer Schemes purfues, 
 A wider profpedl opens to his views. 
 
 Midft
 
 On the ImmortaUty of the SouL 37 
 
 Midfl: Nature's Works that fo ftupendous fliine, 
 His Thoughts difcern th' Artificer Divine; 
 And hence by Man, this Univerfal Lord 
 With Rites of holy Worfliip is ador'd. 
 Hcav'n's perfed Model plac'd before his eyes, 
 With ftudious zeal to imitate he tries ; 
 And learns from hence, with Truth Divine in Love, 
 His own defective Virtues to improve. 
 And as diffufive Goodnefs is confefs'd, 
 The nobleft PafHon in the Human Breaft ; 
 His feeling Heart with confcious Joy o'erflows 
 At other's Blifs, and melts at other's Woes. 
 Foe to all fordid views, he fcorns to own 
 Himfelf the Center of each good alone; 
 His Friend, his Country, nay each living Race, 
 In one extenfive Orb his gen'rous cares embrace. 
 Thefe Laws but iflu'd from geat Nature's plan, 
 When firft She form'd Her helplefs offspring, Man ; 
 That each, Life's goods unable to command, 
 Might find Ailiftance from fome friendly hand, 
 And in return Adminifter his own ; 
 Their V/ants by Language to Each other known. 
 For of ail Creatures elfe, endued with Senfe, 
 Man's Form is leaft adapted for defence. 
 But yet how great his dreaded Virtues prove? 
 How vaft his Prowefs ? if confed'rate Love 
 
 At-
 
 2,8 On the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 Attradlion-like, her common Aid fupply, 
 And bind the Members in one Social tie. 
 
 To this great Law within our breaft, is giv'n 
 The facred Sandion of indulgent Heav'n. 
 This our own Int'reft teaches to approve, 
 And conicious Pleafurc that refults from Love. 
 
 Yet where thefe Blellings can we now furvey ? 
 Do'fl thou not fee, how Lufl's impetuous fway, 
 How Evil Cuflom, darkeft Ign'rance fpread 
 Around the World, their baneful Influence flied ? 
 That thro' the various ranks of Human kind, 
 Few, very Few, compleatly Bleff'd we find. 
 Obferve thofe tracks the Sun's braid Eye furvcys, 
 Beneath his Rifmg, or his Setting rays j 
 Or where the North, or diflant South retires ; 
 Or Regions fcorching widi Eternal Fires ; 
 What abjed Sloth? what Poverty abounds? 
 What frantic Errour the dark Mind furrounds? 
 So thick the Clouds, no certain Marks are fhown 
 Of human Race, but in the Form alone. 
 
 We too, on whom kind Heav'n's indulgent Love 
 Has pour'd diftinguifli'd Bleflings from above; 
 Whom fair Religion leads with gentle pace, 
 Leads, not compels; the Guardian of our Race; 
 Ev'n We contemn this bleff'd Etherial Ray, 
 And clofe our Eyes perverfely on the Day. 
 
 Forfaking
 
 On the Immortality of the Sou/. 3p 
 
 Foifaking Truth, to Sophiftry inclin'd, 
 With vaineil Fidions we corrupt our Mind. 
 For Thefe, as for our Altars we engage. 
 For Toys and Trifles, with relentlefs rage. 
 Kence Murders dire; by Brothers Brothers bleed ; 
 What Impious a6ls from Piety proceed ! 
 
 Thus lawlefs Freedom, fcorning human bounds, 
 Stalks thro' the World, and Right and Wrong confounds. 
 A Force Gigantic, that undaunted tries. 
 With heaps of Mountains to affault the Skies. 
 Sees God thefe impious Deeds; or feeing, fpares? 
 Th' Immortal Breaft untouch'd at Man's Affairs? 
 He fees; and Here tho' Juflice he retard, 
 Will foon our Actions Punifli or Reward. 
 
 I doubt not but the Hand of God is feen, 
 la human ConducSl flill to intervene; 
 And (left the dread of Wrath divine abate) 
 Ev'n Now on Earth fome Wonders to create. . . 
 But of thefe Acts imperfedl trace remains, 
 Not fuch as frantic Superflition feigns ; 
 Which Heav'n's fierce Anger, where it will, commands. 
 And wrelts the Thunder from th' Almighty's hands, 
 
 Nor can I doubt how much in all Mankind, 
 Is felt the impulfe of a Confcious Mind. 
 That Virtue meets fome recompenfe below, 
 And Vice flill fuffers a juft fhare of woe. 
 
 Villain !
 
 40 On the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 Villain! thy Deeds tho' not in publick Teen, 
 Can never fcape that Monitor within. 
 Dire Furies haunt thee, Care diflurbs thy Reft; 
 And with a weight of conflant Dread oppreff'd, 
 Til' Avenger dwells for ever in thy breaft. 
 
 What ? when Difeafes in long train advance, 
 The juft Rewards of thy Intemperance; 
 When lean Confumption, the Gout's racking Pains, 
 And Dropfy pale, that fvvells the bloated veins; 
 Spafm, Stone, and wafting Fevers all engage, 
 Thy Limbs to torture with united rage ? 
 Hence is the Remnant of thy Days (if doom'd 
 To breathe awhile) in ling'ring Pains confum'd ; 
 And They, whofe hopes confin'd to Earth appear, 
 Death's fatal ftroke, pall'd with Exiftence here, 
 For ever Covet, yet for ever Fear. 
 
 Of thefe, fhould any to old age arrive, 
 And fpite of all difeafes ftill furvive, 
 No Joy remains to recompence his Woes ; 
 For neither Friendftiip's fweet Repaft he knows; 
 Nor, when his Deeds are by Refledion fliown. 
 Feeds on the Good Man's Praifes ; or his own. 
 Fled from his Board are all th' Aftbciate Crew; 
 Ev'n the vile Sycophant has bid. Adieu ! 
 And if perchance his Thoughts defcend within, 
 To view that filent unfrequented fcene; 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 Sudden
 
 } 
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul, 41 
 
 Sudden he ftarts, with confcious Guilt oppreff'd, 
 Scar'd at the hideous Phantom in his breaft. 
 Nay, when propitious Death, to end his woe. 
 Stands ready arm'd, and meditates the blow; 
 What Arts he tries to fave the poor Remains 
 Of Life, devoted to a thoufand Pains? 
 But now, if Life thus wretched, be no more; 
 If Death diffolves the Spirit's Vital Pow'r; 
 Whence fpring the Terrors of a Dying hour? 
 Yet thus it is, howe'er this Truth they treat. 
 Men feel Forebodings of a future State. 
 
 But They, whole well-lpent Life no Crime profanes, 
 Whofe honefl: Bofoms wear no Guilty ftains ; 
 Who juft Efteem by real Worth engage, 
 Whofe rich Produdions have adorn'd their Age ; — 
 O'er Such difFufive Pleafure fmiles ferene. 
 And confcious Virtue gilds the charming fcene. 
 No envious Cares their balmy Sleep moleft, 
 Nor Wine, nor Venus have their ftrength fuppreff'd. 
 Let Fortune frown, her Rigour they fuftain, 
 And undated in her Smiles remain. 
 For He all Dangers may fecurely brave, 
 Whole tow'ring Hope can foar above the Grave. 
 Hence when old Age has flow advances made. 
 His Strength and Spirits leifurely decay'd; 
 Approaching Death fuch honeft Man furveys, 
 As One, who toff'd on Life's Tempefluous feas, 
 
 F Behold
 
 42 On the Immortality of the Soul, 
 
 Beholds the welcome Port, his Voyage o'er, 
 Where never Evils can afflid: him more. 
 Him only Death affrights, who dreads the doom 
 Of awful Juflice in a world to come; 
 Not him, whofe fteps by true Religion led, 
 The Paths of Honour and of Virtue tread. 
 He on felf-approbation wings his way, 
 And like the glorious Ruler of the Day, 
 When to the Weft his bending Orb declines, 
 Smilino; with more diffufive Luftre fhines. 
 He, when all-conqu'ring Death advances nigh, 
 Mature in Years, to Heav'n exalts his eye ; 
 And ev'n on Earth, with nobler views elate, 
 Foretaftes the Glories of a future State. 
 
 Such once was HOUGH, whofe Worth fhall ever find 
 A firm Memorial in my faithful Mind. 
 Graceful on Him the honoured Mitre beam'd, 
 On Him, true Freedom's Advocate efteem'd, 
 When the hard Time, amidft unrighteous Laws, 
 Requir'd fo brave a Champion in her Caufe. 
 An hundred circling Years now nearly told, 
 Beyond the date of human Life grown old; 
 Of blooming Honours full, his Senfes clear. 
 Without Difeafcs, void of Pain or Fear; 
 Poffeff'd of all his temp'rate Soul defir'd, 
 From Life's concluding Banquet he retir'd; 
 
 As
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul, 43 
 
 As a fam'd Adlor from the Stage withdraws, 
 Amidft the Crowded Theatre's applaufe ; 
 Or hke fome Chieftain, who, the Goal obtain'd, 
 Demands the Laurels that his Merit galn'd. 
 
 Such Pow'r has Confcience o'er the human Soul, 
 By Hope to cherifh, or by Fear controul. 
 But whence this Hope, or what that Terrour, fay, 
 If all Senfation muft in Death decay ? 
 See ! how the Things, that to this Life relate, 
 Are all Prophetic of a future State! 
 
 Whatever Fortune then betide, the Wife 
 Nor Life will Love, nor peevifhly defpile. 
 For fhou'd the fickle Goddefs Frown unkind, 
 He feels a fecret Comfort in his Mind ; 
 And if She footh him with a fav'ring Gale, 
 He knows her Bleflings when poflefT'd are frail : 
 If fuch be conftru'd Bleflings, which we ufe 
 To fcorn when prefent, and yet Fear to lofe. 
 
 Nor think that hence the Mind, remifs and flow, 
 
 W^ill dread Life's arduous Toils to undergo. 
 
 This gen'rous fcorn of worldly Wealth you'll find 
 
 For public Service more adapts the Mind; 
 
 Makes the brave Soul each Senfe of Fear defpife. 
 
 And ftill Superiour to all Danger rife. 
 
 Yet Such, you fay, refpedl fome late reward, 
 Nor hold for Virtue any juft regard. 
 
 F 2 And
 
 44 ^^i ^^^ Immortality of the SouL 
 
 And fure Who prat^ife Good reward t' obtain, 
 
 A61 from a fordid Principle of Gain. 
 
 That Noble Soul is truly Great, you own, 
 
 Whom Moral Senfe and Re6litude alone. 
 
 All profped: of Futurity deny'd, 
 
 To Truth and Goodnefs uniformly guide. 
 
 Allow'd \ nor is He bad, who keeps in view 
 
 The Path, which Nature prompts him to purfue ; 
 
 Whofe Hopes o'er Earth triumphant wing their flight, 
 
 To Joys Eternal in the Realms of Light. 
 
 Yet fay, what Sort of Recompence he claims? — 
 No fordid Deed his Virtuous Soul defames. 
 No Wealth he feeks by Ufury to gain. 
 Nor is he courted by a Fawning train. 
 Flatt'ry and Falfe Applaufe he fcorns to hear; 
 No pompous Titles captivate his ear. 
 Foe to thofe Arts Ambition bids purfue. 
 No Lies he fcatters thro' the heedlefs Crew. 
 But where integrity, where Nature leads, 
 With brave Heroic Conduft he proceeds; 
 And wreftling on this Stage with noble ftrife, 
 Prepares for Pleafures in a happier Life. 
 
 But We, the Vulgar undiflinguifh'd Throng, 
 Like Ships, impell'd by Tempefts, drive along ; 
 Thro' various Paths, by empty views betray'd. 
 We grafp at Subflance, but embrace the Shade. 
 
 And
 
 On the Immortality of the SouL 4; 
 
 And as mere Babes their infant Toys Demand, 
 Then foon refign them with a wilhng handj 
 So when to Life's full Meafure we attain. 
 
 We adl like children on this Stage again. 
 
 But he who refts perfuaded in his Mind, 
 
 That fome Exiftence after Death's affign'd; 
 
 That this frail World is not the only Scene; 
 
 His Hopes are Certain, all is calm within. 
 
 For as the Mind with refllefs aim afpircs 
 
 To genuine Good, and Truth unmix'd requires; 
 
 There's Nothing Here can Anfvver her delires : 
 
 Nothing on all this Sublunary Seat; 
 
 Where Good and Evil, Joy and Sorrow meet; 
 
 Where Wifdom's-felt on Trifles time beftows. 
 
 And equal bloom the Hemlock and the Rofe. 
 
 No Objedls fuited to our Wifli appear, 
 
 But all is tranflent, all is trifling here. 
 
 Perhaps this Difpenfation God decreed, 
 
 (If Heav'n's high Counfels we may dare to read) 
 
 On this Abode for ever blending flill 
 
 Pleafure with Pain, and Good with adverfe III; 
 
 That Man, thus Kindly Chafl:en'd from his Birth, 
 
 Might view with fcorn this tranfitory Earth; 
 
 And wing'd with Hope, his ardent Thoughts employ 
 
 On Heav'n, fole Manflon of Eternal Joy. 
 
 Now let us backward bend our weary'd view. 
 And Things recorded to the Mind renew. 
 
 Foi!
 
 46 On the Immortality of the Sou!, 
 
 For having ftccr'd our doubtful Courfe at laft. 
 
 And fpccious Errour's latent Rocks o'erpaft, 
 
 Witli all the Perils of the watry way ; 
 
 The friendly Port with Pleafure I furvey. 
 
 Here then we reft, and thus Conclude the whole — 
 
 That Thinking Subftance, which we call the Soul, 
 
 Is not compofd of Elements of Earth ; 
 
 By Nature therefore of Immortal birth. 
 
 But, it He fo ordain, Heav'n's Pow'r fupreme 
 
 Can quench the Light of this Etherial Beam. 
 
 He ca?i^ but never will— That pow'r to know 
 
 More than is deftin'd to Man's State below ; 
 
 That refllcfs longing for Immortal Good, 
 
 A Paflion never in the Mind fubdu'd; 
 
 That ardent thirft Perfedion to attain; 
 
 Was ne'er implanted in the Soul in vain. 
 
 But now, if Virtue fhou'd rewarded be, 
 
 And Vice muft fuffer, asjuft Laws decree; 
 
 Yet Here we rarely fuch Diftin6lion find, 
 
 T'adjuft this Point fome State muft be ailign'd. 
 
 Then fhall this Scene, that now, refpeding Man, 
 
 Seems all unworthy Wifdom's heav'nly Plan; 
 
 The Cloud remov'd, fhine forth in Native Light, 
 
 And Truth and Order charm the ravifh'd fight. 
 
 Unlefs this Fad unqueftion'd be ailow'd. 
 
 Whence can you prove th' Exiftence of a God ; 
 
 That
 
 On the Immortality of the Soul. 47 
 
 That o'er the World's fl-iipendous Frame prefidcs, 
 Diredls it's Order, and it's Motions guides ? 
 What? fhall the nicefl Harmony be feen, 
 Thro' other Parts of this immenfe Machine ; 
 Yet marks of Wifdom be deficient Here, 
 Where moft Divine Perfedion fhou'd appear? 
 No; for a Time is fix'd in Heav'n's Decree 
 ( Seek not to know how fuch Event can be ; ) 
 Enough, that after Death the Day fhall come, 
 When by one righteous and impartial Doom, 
 God will all Wicked Men with Wrath purfue, 
 And give to Virtue what is Virtue's due. 
 
 THE END.
 
 The Following Works are printed for and fold by R. Matthews 
 
 Bookfeller in Cambridge. 
 
 1. irpLegia Scripta in Coemeterio Ruftico Latine Reddita. 4to. 
 
 XZ> 2. M. Fabii Quintiliani Inftitutionum Oratoriaium Libri Duo- 
 deceni ad ufiim Scholarum Accommodati, Recifis qua: minus Neceflaria 
 Vila funt, et Brevibus Notis lUuftrati, a Carolo Rollin. 8vo. 
 
 3. The Works of Shakefpeare in Eight Volumes ; Collated with the 
 oldell: Copies, and Corrcfted, with Notes Explanatory and Critical, by 
 Mr. Theobald. 
 
 4. Paradiie Loft, a Poem, in Twelve Books, and his Paradife Regain'd, 
 in Four Books, to which are added Samfon Agoniftes, and Poems upon 
 feveral Occafions, by '^ohn Milton: the Sixth Edition, with Notes of 
 various Authors, by Tfjomas Ncwto?!, D. D. now Lord Bifliop of Brijlol. 
 
 5. The Works of Alexander Pope, Efq; in Nine Volumes Complete, with 
 his laft Corrections, Additions, and Liiprovements as they were deliver- 
 ed to the Editor a little before his Death, together with the Notes of 
 William War burton, D.D. now Lord Bifliop of Gloiicefer. 
 
 The Iliad and Odyfley of Homer., Tranflated by Mr. Pope in Eleven 
 Volumes. 
 
 6. Meditations and Contemplations, in Two Volumes, hy James Hervey 
 A.M. late Re6lor of Wejlon-Favel in NorthamptonJInre. 
 
 7. Theron and Afpafio, by Mr. Hervey, in Three Volumes. 
 
 8. Two Sermons preached before the Univerfity of Cambridge, in the 
 Year 1758: The one upon the 29th oi May, being the Anniverfary of 
 the Reftoration of K\x\^ Charles II; the other upon 22nd oi June the 
 Anniverfary of the Acceflion of his Majcfty King George II. by Sa?nuel 
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