THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE FALL OF MAN AND HIS REDEMPTION. THH dPall ot JWan & fjt$ 2fteS*mjrtiom A SERMON, MEDITATED IN BLANK VERSE, WITH SCRIPTURE PROOFS AND MANY RELIGIOUS, MORAL AND DESCRIPTIVE POEMS, SUITED TO THE SUBJECT, CONDUCIVE TO CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE, AND VIRTUOUS CONDUCT. Oh— fatal knowledge from forbidden Fruit! Fruitless of worth ! all fruitful of dismay ! BATH : PRINTED & SOLD BY A. E. BINNS, CHEAP STREE1 HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. PATERNOSTER-ROW; AM> SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL, STATIONERS* HALL COURT, AND HATCHARD, PICCADILLY. LONDON. A". B. Should any profit be derived from the Salt of this Work, it will be devoted to the aid of the British and Foreign Biblk Society. PR 3 91 I DEDICATORY LINES TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD VISCOUNT B. Accept, my Lord, the Author's well meant muse ; His varied strains with candid mind peruse : His aim is humble,— not the poet's bays ! Yet truth with feeling marks his simple lays. Exalted rank may own, and gently take, His themes of virtue, for fair virtue's sake : Lo ! the bright sun salutes the peasant's cot And kindly smiles upon his little lot ! Nay, duty urges mutual embrace, By ties of Nature and the things of Grace. Go, then, my Book, the best I can impart : The worth thou hast, instil from heart to heart. G. M. Avon-wood Villa, Both ERRATA. Page 11, line 2, insert in after is. Page 15, line 3, for and Satan, read or. Page 95, line 17, for tracts, read track. Page 190, line 12, read thus-— "as Angels stand!— lo I ilrawn." CONTENTS. PAGL. The Bible 1 The Fall of Man and his Redemption 2 Texts from Scripture, corroborating the above .... 9 The solidity of the heavenly glory 12 The contrite heart's first approach to God 13 The awakened sinner's lamentation and triumph . . 15 Human guilt and misery bewailed in hope 18 The fight of faith 20 The reign of grace 21 The fallen saint recovered 23 Comfort to the Godly mourner 25 The awakened soul's perplexity 25 A memento for the young 27 The Christian pilgrim's progress 29 Peter's fall and recovery 30 Jesus blessing children 31 vui PAGE. On pride 32 Christianity 33 Thou art dust 34 A soliloquy 36 Time and eternity contrasted 38 The Christian penitent's petition 39 On Christian grace 40 On Christian humility 41 A midnight reflection 42 Know thyself 43 A reflection on the heavenly state 45 The renewed spirit's invocation 46 The coffin 47 Summum honum 48 The soul's departure from the body 49 Salvation by grace 50 The carnal mind's address 52 The spiritual mind's address 53 The happy man 55 A hymn on creation and redemption . . 57 A funeral procession 59 The Lord's prayer paraphrased 59 Solomon's adage 60 St. Paul's retrospect and Christian experience .... u'2 The salutation of the Angels 64 Hopeful youth warned and encouraged 65 Thoughts on seeing a lamp at midnight 66 Lines on a sick infant 67 Farewell from a minister to hi8 parishioners 69 S< iking the Saviour 70 IX PAGE. Christian love 71 Christian's hymn 71 Clerical characteristic Acrostics* 73 A pcet and his retreat 79 Eulogy on Cowper 80 Reflection on a field of wheat in harvest time .... 81 Belshazzar's impious feast and overthrow 8*2 The gathered rose 84 Lines on revisiting the Royal Crescent 85 The hen and her chickens, delineated 86 Thoughts on viewing an ancient Ash-tree 87 On a little fly that traversed the author's hook. ... 89 On the departure of the swallows 90 On the return of the swallows 91 On the figure of Justice erected over the Guildhall 92 The contemplation of nature 93 Epistle to a friend, on his purchase of an estate . . 94 Monastic stanzas to the hour-glass 95 The glow-worm 97 Lines addressed to the robin 99 Lines written in a friend's garden 100 Lines on a pious young lady in a decline 100 The shipwrecked fisherman 101 The thief in the trap 102 On music, as in union with the human passions . . 104 On a Roman coin 106 * The Clerical Characteiistics are such as the author's divinity library suggested, and are given as Acrostics — arising from his custom of often celebrating their worth in the initials of their names. FAGE. On the lamented death of the Princess Charlotte . . 107 Goliath's challenge, and David's victory 108 A sketch of Christ-Church College, Oxford 112 On Bishop Watson's observation on human life . . 114 The scarlet-bean arcade 115 Lines on hearing the cuckoo 116 Sonnet to the moon 116 A reflection suggested by a hay- making scene .... 117 The happiness even of a country life chimerical ! . . 118 Lines on Partis's College J 1 9 On the great elm on Salford hill 1 20 A song, descriptive of Clovalley 121 The Belle and Beau 125 An address to my favorite walking-stick 127 The steam-packet 128 A morning walk to Claverton 129 Description of a shipwreck oft" the coast of Hastings 132 A morning ride near Bath 134 On the female automaton 136 An evening walk to Kelston round-hill 137 Lines written in Newton park, near Bath 141 On a robin killed in a mouse-trap 1-13 Watch your watch 144 An elegy on the death of my servant's child 145 The Egotist 147 Self-reflection 149 Old age 150 Lord Byron's poetry praised and blamed 151 On the weeping willow 151 The saved thief 152 PAGE. On hearing the ^Eolian harp at my study-window 152 Eulogy on my pious and dear Aunt 153 On a young lady, with a present of Cowper's poems 153 The ages of life compared to the four seasons .... 154 My native home 155 On Something 156 On Nothing 158 The rainbow 159 The purchase of West Indian slave sugar bewailed 1 60 On the closing scene of Rev. C. Wolfe's death-bed 161 Reflection on Tintern Abbey 161 Village life contrasted with village scenery 162 Domestic animals, guides to moral conduct 1 64 Moral thoughts on viewing an old file of bills .... 166 Moral reflection on a tower in ruins 167 The reviving sun — a reflection 168 The daisy 169 The dove compared with human nature 170 Daniel's safety in the lion's den 172 Reflections on a worm 173 The Basilisk or Cocatrice Serpent seizing its prey 173 The three Saints in the fiery furnace ! 1 74 The dancing gnats 175 Contentment 176 Reflection on the honey-suckle fly 177 On a decayed aged tree — a reflection 178 The parent and child 1 80 The sky-lark 181 Interior beauty, the soul of exterior 1 82 The starry heavens 1 83 Lines on a woodman's cottage in nuns 184 Xll PAGE. On Napoleon in exile 1 86 The sun-dial's remonstrance 186 Reminiscence, or infancy recalled 1 88 A dream — terrific 1 89 Sonnet on the sun * 191 On Mrs. Cecil's interesting 1 vignette 191 Reflection on the primrose blown at Christmas. ... 192 The wish 193 Sweep ! Sweep ! 1 94 The idle boy, or spoiled child 195 On seeing the panorama of Holy- Rood chapel .... 196 On viewing a map of the world 197 " In the garden a sepulchre " 198 Jesus wept : or Lazarus revived 199 The rookery 200 The wren 202 The blessing of sleep 204 On reading Cowper's letters 204 Phceron and Damia 205 Henry and Emma 208 Sophron and Matilda 211 THE FALL OF MAN AND HIS REDEMPTION. THE BIBLE. HAIL venerable book ! the work of God ! Who shall declare its worth — its truth — its love ! 'Twas love to man inspir'd the sacred tome ; Truth all divine — each page attests ; its worth What less than ages endless can unfold ? Tis of the mental world the sun ! its heat, Its light — its life ! 'tis more ; brings heav'n to earth . Lifts earth to heav'n ! yes — from on high this gift Unspeakable descends ; for man descends ; For fallen man — by sin through Satan dead ! Inestimable roll ! unrolling vast Eternity to view, and time's short reign ; Guide of the past — the present — and to come ! — Oh, for the hearing ear — the seeing eye — The grasp of faith ! — so blest — the simple poor — The lowly rich — its holy mysteries Shall pierce ; and reach celestial and immortal good ! THE FALL OF MAN \ND HIS REDEMPTION. (A Sermon meditated in blank verse.) "As in Adam all die — so in Christ shall all live :" — Come friendly Reader — let my christian page Thy mind instruct ; calmly the sacred truth I'll tell ; in feeling pity all unfold ; So — like the oil that softly gains its way, Perchance the weighty theme thy heart may win : — Know then oh youth — or if that flower of man Be past, know thou of hoary age — tho' late — Know thou thyself; not as by nature taught, But wisdom's rule divine — that ruleth all ! In solemn awe hear now her voice supreme ! — " Where art thou? What — this that thou hast done? what!" — Oh — heart- dismaying words to Adam — Eve ! In them to all mankind ! — ye innocents How short your blissful reign ! Posterity Your taste may blame — but God alone condemn ! His hand divine created all things good ; And ye — the mirrors of himself ! Natures So perfect — whence, oh whence your direful change ? Scarce less mysterious in your fall than birth ! Yet is enough reveal'd to silence all ; " And justify the way of God to man !" — — Satan ! 'twas by him they fell ; Archangel ! Supremely good, and highest of the high ! Oh — sad ! in heaven first was evil's birth ! Thence myriads doom'd to darkness — deathless woe ! — Yet myriads stood ! Angels elect of God ; So fixed by will divine — self-glorious will ! — Thus speaks the holy word — creation's law O'er all ! — who now will dare reply ? — Great God ! Almighty thou — and only thou — in good ! Destruction is our due! selfwrought — selfwill'd! Angels and men shall praise thy just decrees ! — Pause here my soul — nor risk one further thought !- — Oh — fatal knowledge from forbidden fruit ! Fruitless of worth — all fruitful of dismay ! Henceforth the tree of life brings only death ! The curse of God ! the curse of body — soul ! — So sunk the race of man — the sink of sin ! His natal life breath's pestilence to death ! That nobler thing his heart — on evil fixed ! Ere yet his infancy can act — his soul Acts vice within ! each new form'd thought Teems in the sight of God — with errors guile! The root is poison'd and the sap ! each branch Luxurious grows — bearing luxurious fruits, Tempting to self — but to the Lord abhorr'd ! The show of pride, and envy's hollow core ; Ambition's swell — the colouring of lust, — These and their endless kinds — for ever thrive, Pluck'd by insatiate man — himself his foe ! — Thus sad his state — and yet the half untold ! Alas ! e'en to his Maker — Lord of life — His enmity inborn — with serpent's spite Darts venom ! (so trembling drop I the truth !) He will not — cannot (vitally deprav'd !) Or thank — or fear — or love his holy name ! — What book — what tongue can tell man's desp'rat deeds ! What Saint or Seraph know or paint his case ! — Thou ! only thou in whom he lives — he moves — The endless evils of his leprous frame, And worse Satanic soul — cans't probe or cure ! In sight — in thought — in word — in deed — his aim His only aim is self — himself his end ! — Such misery is his, and yet embrac'd ! In darkness born he loves the shades of death ! Scorns the blest light of Heav'n — to him a Hell ! — Thus bound — he drags his guilty chains in peace, — (Such peace as makes blest Saints and Angels sigh !) Deems freedom bonds ; and bonds his only rest ! So curs'd — so doubly curs'd ! in vain — in vain His conscience smites — by sinful self o'errul'd ! Thus forc'd 'gainst its own warn and captive led, Down the broad road his fiery passions drive Th' immortal soul — plung'd in eternal woe ! — — Oh ! speak no more of nature's gentle deeds ; Of honesty to man — of harmless hearts — Of conduct decent, and of friendships true ; rhese — and all else that human wit can boast Avail not in the searching eye of Him W ho form'd the heart, and kens its inmost plagues ! —Say rather — what of worth to these belong, (For worth they have — preserving to the world That calm — those ties — which wanting — Chaos worse m that, o'crsprcading nature's womb would list And dark destruction dash the shatter'd globe !) Say rather to kind Providence belongs The birth and vigour of such scatter'd good ; — Or rather say — that born within the verge Of Scriptures, heav'n shed light — that light from youth Relights thy reason by its gospel day ! — — Oh — ope thy mouth no more poor erring man ! One — only one — is great — is good ! to God From sinful dust let praise of self be dumb ! Or if that fiend is cherish'd in thy breast, Know that thy blinded mind's a double proof Of Adam's curse — and Adam's guiltv race ! — — Such is the direful dirge the sacred word To dying mortals sounds ! — Oh — love divine ! That o'er the horrid sea of raging waves Foaming and thund'ring round creations world, Tunes yet that heav'n-strung note of — " Peace, be still Glad tidings this — e'en to angelic hosts ! To ruined man — how more than doubly glad ! — Alas ! for him ! hearing he will not hear I And seeing sees not — faithless to believe ! — Shall mercy thu6 despis'd speak peace again ? Oh — yes ! tho' undeserv'd — yea — spurn'd and fled, Mercy unfetter'd shall descend to bless ! Peace — everlasting peace shall yet prevail, And God — e'en with such rebels reconcil'd ! — A mystery is here of love divine I What justice damns can pity dare forgive ? Then should the Maker be his creature's slave ! b 2 Himself a slave to man — to Satan — sin I — No ! let man be curs'd to ages endless, Whilst holy Seraphs shout "Thrice Holy Lord !" — — Oh wisdom — mercy — justice — all divine ! Blending in pity to create anew The outcast race of man ! and so create As now shall lead — e'en to the Godhead lead, The full-orb' d radiance of that glorious face ! Oh — thou Almighty life — eternal love ! What mind but thine such mystery could plan ! — I fall as dead before thee ! vea — as nouerht ! Oh — spare the wretch who tremb'ling strives to teach Theme so o'erwhelming to his sin-wreck'd race, By wisdom' — mercy — justice — overwhelm'd ! — So hast thou lov'd the world — that ere thv voice Spake its first glory and primeval good, (For from thy hand perfect are all thy works !) Thou — e'en in eternity — didst ordain That to thy glory and thy creature's bliss, Thy attributes in combination just, Should cast meridian splendour round thy throne ! — And lo ! that bright effulgence burns and lives In thee — of God the Son — eternal Son ! 1 n thee — as God and man centre's the whole ! — So born — he lives to die — to die accurs'd ! So dead — he lives to God ! for sinners lives ! Ilis death divine — the law divine atones ! Yi a — so fulfill'd — the Triune God can bless The curs'd — yea — glory in the matchless deed f Salvation now triumphant reigns on high ! Salvation just — how more than just in him ! If sinners finite merit endless woe, (Who infinite offends such woe must feel !) Oil — how much more shall Jesu's death bring life, Eternal life ! Himself the will of God ! In it so suffer' d — so arose the Son, Human — yet divine ! meriting as God ! — Hence from high heaven his Holy Spirit In ceaseless showers o'er creation wide Pours his rich gifts — life — liberty and love ! Life from the spirit's death ; and from the chains Of sin and Satan — liberty ; — and love That draws the new-born soul in God to rest ! — Well might blest Angels shout, " Glory to God," While to the sons of earth this truth they preach'd, " Peace from on high ! endless good will to man !" — Well may they ever roimd the throne of grace, Search the deep depths of such mysterious love ! How much more man ! thus dearly bought — thus won ! — Oh, thou who read'st e'en in this feeble lay These wond'rous blessings — wonder and adore ! This road to bliss is free — and free for all ! Believe and live ! and living thus obey ! — But is thy heart yet heartless, and thy mind Unmindful of its only good ? — sad state ! Yet not too sad to cure — if yet 'tis felt : And dost thou feel thy senselessness and mourn ? Thou dost — if on the bended knee thou groan'st ; If with an inward fear thou lift'st thine eye, And for thy ruin'd soul seeks't help above : So seeking — thou shalt find for sickness health ; And reach by strength from God the heav'nly prize ; 8 Despair shall flee thy breast, and Christian hope From faith unfeign'd arise ; — and heav'n-born love Forefit thy spirit for th' angelic sky ! Whilst sojourning below — midst the dread scenes Of man's tumultuous lot (the fruit of sin !) Thy spirit tender as a dove — shall flee On holy wing courting the light of life ! — By day — by night shall meditate the truth, And sing the dulcet notes of grace all free ! Created thus anew by hand divine, In new designs thy ready mind will muse ; How best adorn those mercies of thv Lord, Who gave thee life from death ; for hell a heav'n f — No more thou stoopest to thy former love Of worldly things ; to thee henceforth they fade ! — Each budding thought of boasting pride is crush'd ;- — A meeken'd child thou walks't the Christian path : With eagle's eye thou gazest far above, E'en to that sun of righteousness — in whom Thy happy soul drinks all its peace and good ! — Him and the Father (for by him sent down Bespeaks love unspeakable !) worshipping, With deep humility and ardent joy, Thou to the sacred city of the blest With panting heart and fond desire — looks't up ! Now as its denizen — that holy land — That new Jerusalem absorbs thy mind ; — The Lamb of God — the Saviour of thy soul. Encircling all with ecstacy divine ! — — The Seraphim in sacred beauty clotb'd ; Nor less bright clad (clad in the spotless robe 9 Of Sion's king !) the kingly saints redeem'd ! — So — as a Pilgrim travelling the earth — Thy progress tends to that eternal home ; And as thou passest through this world of woe, Each step thou tread'st the footsteps of thy Lord ; — Like him whose love to thee all conquering flew. Thou of all human race wilt aim the good ; Like him will travail for their endless bliss, And moan like him the miseries of man ! Like him with inward pity all forgive ; Beseech thy foe ; and for th' unfeeling feel ! Like him — whilst hating with a constant hate The sinner's sins, — will yet the sinner save ! Like him will strive to Suffer and to Do, The toill of God — whose will in wisdom rules ! — Thus through the riches of his houndless grace, And kept by arm Omnipotent ! his saints (How fallen once ! how lost ! how all undone !) Their destin'd course shall speed safe to their end ! Death bringing life ! and time eternity ! Eternity with God in their Immanuel's Worth ! Amen. TEXTS FROM SCRIPTURE CORROBORATING THE DOCTRINE. Lo — this only have I found — that God hath made man upright — but they have sought out many inven- tions. Ye are they which justify yourselves before men — b 3 10 but God knoweth your hearts : that which is highly- esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit ; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Among whom we also had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh — fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind — and were by nature — the children of wrath — even as others. God saw that the wickedness of men was great on earth, and that every imagination of the heart and thoughts was only evil continually ; for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts — murders — adul- teries — fornications — thefts — false witness — blasphemies: whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her — hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. The carnal mind is enmity against God — it is not sub- ject to the law of God — neither indeed can be ; so then they who are in the flesh cannot please God. Behold ! I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me ; as soon as they be born — they go about speaking lies : except a man be born again (or from above) he cannot see the kingdom of God : there is none that doeth good — no — not one ! there is no fear of God before their eves : neither were they thankful ! we have before proved that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. To give knowledge of salvation through the tender mercy of our God — without controversy — great is the mystery of godliness — God was manifest in the flesh; l tilled in the spirit — seen of Angels — preached unto the GentileE — believed on in the world — received up into n glory — being justified freely by his grace through th( Redemption, that is Christ Jesus; to declare at this time his righteousness — that he might be just — and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus. Wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence — having made known unto us the mystery of his will : created in Christ Jesus unto good works ; Christ Jesus came into the world, to save sinners : He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance — who is the Saviour of all men — especially of those who believe : This dav shalt thou be with me in Para- dise : even Jesus — who delivered us from the wrath to come ! For our gospel came not unto you in word only — but also in power and in the Holy Ghost ; we give thanks to God always for y r ou all — remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus. God so loved the world — that he gave his only be- gotten Son — that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life — we love God because he first loved us : Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, accord- ing as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, accord- ing to the good pleasure of his will ; to the praise of the glory of his grace — wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved; — I beseech vou therefore, Brethren, l>* 12 the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reason- able service ; and be not conformed to this world ; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provi- sion for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. Set your affections on things which are above, not on things of the earth ; for ye are dead ; and your life is hid with Christ in God. Put off all these — anger — wrath — malice, &c. Put on (as the elect of God, holy and be- loved) bowels of mercies — humbleness of mind — meek- ness — long-suffering. — If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God; when Christ our life shall ap- pear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. — Amen ! THE SOLIDITY OF THE HEAVENLY GLORY Glory true — descends from heav'n , Is not earn'd — but freely giv'n ; Do the saints with glory shine ? Lord ! their lustre all is thine ! Yes — in thy adored name Saints and Angels seek their fame 13 Heroes of the Christian race Triumph in triumphant grace ! Such — do hate — not seek to fan — The poison'd praise of erring man ; And steering by a law divine, In it alone they strive to shine ! No selfish aims their minds allure ; One is their aim — divinely pure ! Themselves they view as nothing worth,. And own above their sacred birth ! The rule of duty they fulfil With lowly thoughts, and humble will ; And searching it with gifted ken, They feel themselves to be but men ; — However good, they dare not boast, — But magnify the " Holy Ghost :" And living thus with single eye They reach the glory of the sky ! THE CONTRITE HEART'S FIRST APPROACH TO GOD. Dwell who will on themes that perish Eartldy worth and human art : Mine's a theme blest angels cherish ! 'Tis the sinner's broken heart ! 14 See ! he comes with eyes of sorrow, Shedding tears of deepest grief, Through the night, and sunless morrow, Groaning for his soul's relief! Tis not worldly woes o'erwhelm him ; Tis not worldly good can raise ; Oh ! to these a willing victim, Lo ! his thoughts all upward gaze ! There's a heaven — till now despis-ed ; There's a hell — till now unknown ; — What before vile passions priz-ed, Changed now — no more he'll own ! Long he mourns his evil nature, Source of every foster'd vice, — Feels himself a fallen creature, Justly spurned from Paradise ! Loosen'd now to things terrestrial. Dying now to scenes of time ; He — called forth by voice celestial. Lifts his hopes to joys sublime ! Far above he sees cnthron-ed Christ , wlio died for Adam's race ! Sees his sins by blood aton-ed, Sees the merit of his grace. 15 Now his humble spirit venture? To receive that gift divine ! And, though self and Satan hinders, Faith may whisper — "This is mine." Yes ! this truth his ardour raises, Drooping else in dark despair ; — Hear him shout, in songs of praises.. " Sinful I — am righteous there." What though he's by ills oppressed In the straight and narrow way ? Weeping hearts by heav'n are blessed. Sighing for the promis'd day ! Then farewell to all temptation ! Long farewell to sin's abyss ! In that bright, renewed creation, All is love and holy bliss ! THE AWAKENED SINNER'S LAMENTATION AND TRIUMPH. 1 feel a weight I cannot bear ! The pond'rous weight of sin ! — The outward man though strong and fair How weak the man within ! 16 Strengthless I strive — too sure in vain ! Deeper I droop in woe ! The good I pant for ne'er obtain ; Myself my inbred foe ! What though I breathe ? — this native life Proves all the life of death ! In bitter pangs — in fruitless strife I draw my passing breath ! Say, was I pure as heaven's air, And bright as heaven's sun, TV unhop'd-for hope would bring despair ! — Adam and self were one ! If innocence like his could fall, Can fallen powers arise ? Alas ! where sin can such enthral, All fatal ruin lies ! But born with growing might to err, Men lower — lower sink ! And, plunged in vice — with fearless fear Dare speak — dare act — dare think ! — Whence then arose my holy hate P — Celestial desires ? Can blinded minds bewail their fat< Which Satan's rage inspires ? 17 Behold ! a happy ray divine, (Oh memorable hour !) Did on my waken'd spirit shine, Shine with a God-like power ! No more I live in Adam's worth, No more I rue his end ! — Eternal now my second birth ! — Immanuel my friend ! For love like this I beg more love, Such depths of love to praise ! And praise I will o'er all above ! — In humblest posture gaze ! Oh ! to thyself for ever sway My lips — my heart — my hand ; Oh ! let my soul by night — by day, Fulfil each just command ! Since Lord, I've nothing, save through grace, Let grace — all grace be given ; — So shall I hail thy glorious face, And live thy rest in heaven ! 18 HUMAN GUILT AND MISERY BEWAILED IN HOPE. O'er this wild distracted earth, Oft I muse with melting mind ; Sighing for that " sinful birth," That has ruin'd all mankind ! Oh ! the shock my spirit feels Whilst it meditates around ! For its sinful self it reels, Sunk alike in guilt profound ! Human life's as Chaos black ! Agitated as the sea ! And each soul-demoniac Revels in its misery ! What avails my weeping eye ? What avails my inward groan ? 'Midst this fallen world am I, And its evils all my own! Who, that wakes to truths so sad, Who, that knows he's thus forlorn Would not e'en for death be glad. Wishing he had ne'er been born ? 19 Yet I see a ray of light Guiding up from dread despair ;- Shout ! the Saviour's full in sight ! Leap ! for sinner's safety there ! Lo ! in him sweet innocence ! And for ever beaming love ! Perfect human excellence ! God below ! and God above ! Here the wretched and the vile, Triumph over Adam's loss ! Tears are changed to a smile, More than saved by his cross ! Sin nor Satan shall destroy Those whom Jesus shall forgive ; Tho' they mourn — they mourn in joy ! Tho' they die — they die to live ! O'er this wild — distracted earth, Still I'll muse with melting mind ; Praising for that " Holy-Birth," That has ransomed — poor mankind ! 20 THE FIGHT OF FAITH. Redeemed Saints (divinely paid !) Must still The Christian path pursue ; And seek their heav'nly Father's aid His will To suffer — and to do. Yea, now begins the faithful's fight, The war That extricates the soul ! And wrest'ling in the Saviour's might, His law Fulfils from heart made whole. Tho' wounded oft — yea — oft cast down. He stands, Well strengthen'd from above ! And eying the celestial crown, Commands ! Shouting his Maker's love ! His inward and his outward foes Assails, Baffling their venom' d rage ! And o'er all tempting worldly shows Prevails, Throughout his Pilgrimage I ! 21 Whate'er affliction strikes his frame, He'll bless, Trusting his gracious Lord ! And to the glory of his name Confess, He's more to be ador'd ! In sii^ht of death his hope, his head Will raise, O'er all his dying pain ! Nor doubt the heav'nly courts to tread ; There praise, And there with Jesus reign ! Jesus ! who foil'd proud Satan's spite, And won ! Setting his captives free ! Jesus ! whose death brought life and light, His throne ! And endless victory ! THE REIGN OF GRACE ! Tis just and right in mercy's reign, To give or less — or more ; Who little have may not complain ; Who much — shall much adore ! 22 Mercy is great — tho' seeming small, Where justice marks her due ; Since sin in one has ruin'd all ! Justice may all pursue ! Mercy that saves is richly bought ; The ransom price divine ! And the meek Saviour gladly taught, " Father ! these babes are thine !" Not many rich — not many wise, Are called with their call ; Yet all are beckon'd to the skies, For Christ has died for all ! But grace is free to freely bless ; That good what soul dare claim ? That gift of God shall some caress, To glorify that name ! Ye highly favor'd of the Lord ! Give to the Lord his due ; Self-fancied worth be deep abhorr'd ! He merits all from you ! — Yes — undeserv'd is heaven's prize, Its everlasting crown ; Saints ! take it with affection's eyes, And humbly lay it down ! 23 Methinks I hear one shout of praise Roll round the gracious throne ; " Of all thy love's mysterious ways, The glory Lord's — thine own !" THE FALLEN SAINT RECOVERED. Ah ! to see believer languish, Sunk to hell, from heaven's gate ! Is a sight gives Angels anguish ! And foretels a sadder fate ! Tho' he comes — alas ! — how drooping ! Doubly weak and doubly lost ! — Like a shatter'd vessel stooping In the ocean — tempest tost ! Oh ! the tears — the groans — the crying That o'erwhelm the sliding heart ! All through life — and e'en in dying ! He may rue sin's aching dart ! — Yet will mercy not forsake him, Mercy from redeeming love ! Tho' below — just judgments break him, Mercy reigns to save above ! 24 Feeling keen God's dreadful hiding ! More he'll fear each high command ; And his fickle nature chiding, Grasp on arm divine to stand ! Well he warns the careless sinner, Ev'ry evil path to shun ; Urges on each new beginner, Watchful pray'r his course to run ! — So by wisdom's bless'd exertion, Strength is added to the frail ! Whilst for fallen Saint's conversion, Saints and Seraphs — Jesus hail ! — Oh — ye Christians — are ye cleaving r Faithful to your risen Lord ? If ye stand by love receiving, To the downcast love afford ! Sure ye know — if undeserved Was the pity bent to raise ; If from pity ye've not swerved, Where to sing the hopeful praise ! Tho' the faithless merits anger ; (Anger from the Saviour's face !) To despair would fix the danger ! And eclipse the throne of grace ! 25 COMFORT TO THE GODLY MOURNER. — I see thee sinner drooping low and sad ! Oh ! happy sinner — rise — give thanks — be glad ! To thee I preach in Christ thy sins forgiv'n ! Friendship with God, and blessed hope of heav'n ! I bring to mourners messages of peace, Freedom from Satan, and from death release ! — Thy heart once hard — is soften' d now by grace ! Tbou shuns't all sin, and seek'st the Saviour's face ! The world — the flesh and Satan (once thy God !) Henceforth beneath thy holy feet are trod ! Tbe Lord of mercies now has ev'ry thought, And his dear Son — whose blood thy ransom bought ! — Rise — Saint — arise ! in holy rapture sing, Praises to Christ — thy Prophet — Priest and King ! THE AWAKENED SOULS PERPLEXITY! Horrors — deep horrors — haunt my vexed mind! — Wherefore am I ? — why live for death ? — mankind Creation's Lord, and yet creation's fool ! Now great — how little ! reigning without rule ! Despis'd — yet fear'd — exalted yet deprcss'd ! On earth all substance — toil ; mere shadow rest ! Pain — joy — despair — hope — grief — at once his lot ! His only good unknown, — or known forgot ! c 26 Through curs'd Satanic spite born his own foe, His life is torment, and his end is woe ! — Behold his doom ! mysterious awfid doom ! Chain'd to sin's death ; to Hell beyond the tomb ! The mortal frame evil and pain controul ! One mass of mis'ry bears th' immortal soul ! — Down — down I sink, and thrice confounded he ! Within myself the dread reality I feel ! then rise again — again to face These rueful features of all human race ! What can I do but moan my shocking birth, By heav'n detested ! and the plague of earth ! What judgments from on high in vengeance hurl'd On sinful man ! what devastation whirl'd, On man's abode — past — present — and to come ! For him what wrath ! what flame creation s doom ! — What wrath ! vet not for all ; — tho' all were lost Some shall escape by blood-redeeming cost ! Blood so divine that worlds of worlds might live ! Live so confirm'd that none shall pray, — " Forgive .' Link'd in the power of Almighty God, No more they fall, and sinless — fear no rod : Where love has concpier'd — love shall ever reign O'er sin — o'er Satan — death — o'er sorrow — pain ! Oh — well for ever those whom heaven's sway (Jul Is forth to bliss in this their dying day ! They hear a voice that breaks their earthly charms, And brings them contrite — to their Saviour's arms ! Yet born as others — had ; in practice — worse 1 Mike involv'd in time's devouring curse ! — Why Bhonld not mercy eye all Adam's race, And swell the triumphs of atoning grace ? 27 — Mercy is God's ! — be silent oh — my soul ! Nor judge from part — the vast mysterious whole ! Tho* harsh to sense the deep decrees above, ' Thou knows't them fixed bv him — whose name and nature's — love.' A MEMENTO FOR THE YOUNG: OR, THE SPENDTHRIFT'S WARNING. Adieu ! poor world — by one yet far more poor ! My wither'd frame thy charms no more allure : I've run the giddy round to age — and see (Too late !) that thou and self are vanity ! I see — I feel ! and from this dying pain, Groan forth to youthful ears — live not in vain ! — I ask not pity — what avails it me ! Bat from my piteous state — I'll pity ye : Doubly my heart shall ache — my mind shall grieve — If ye dear youth — as wretched I should live ! Your bliss my aim — ye I in love beseech To weigh the truths my misery must teach ! — Your wish I know — e'en from your early birth ; Each rising year — is happiness on earth ; — But this if true — is a celestial prize, Obtain' d from hope above — not 'neath the skies ! — The things of time with flattery beguile ! Bliss draws the tear that ends in heav'nly smile ! — He who is born — must know he's born to die ! That this — not life — is here man's destiny ! 28 — Well may your tender thoughts enquire the cause ; And swiftly learn it in your Maker's laws ; These all transgress'd from infancy to age, The sacred book proclaims in black'ning page ! — This mournful truth if inwardly you feel, In penitential pray'r you'll lowly kneel ; — What yet ye need — ye need full much to know, But this — each day's lament — will strongest shew I How weak — how dull — how fickle e'en at best ! Besieg'd by sin that thwarts your holy rest ! Daily thus vex'd — a Pilgrim here you'll roam, Seeking with steadfast faith — your heav'nly home ! With anxious thought the word of life will prize, And court the wisdom that alone is wise ! Here trace with joy that mystery divine, That makes thee sinner — saint ! all blessings thine ! Here thy Redeemer's dying love embrace, That beams thee glory from his glorious face ! Here catch his Holy Spirit's Christian aid, That seals the good his costly ransom paid ! Here view with sacred peace his Father's mind ! Which gave his Son to torture — for mankind ! — — Drawn to such themes thy soul must upward soar : This — this is life ! yea — life for evermore! — Now shine rcnew-cd youth — that all may see Prom God — thy faith — thy hope — thy charity ! That precious faith that brings the future — now ! That high-born hope that treads on things below ! That charity — which enmity forgives, Pouring his love — by which ihy spirit lives ! — Saved thus early by the gospel's grace, In meekness — patience — urge thy destin'd race ; 29 Be ev'ry virtue in thy breast endear'd ! Be vice — deceptive vice ! — for ever fear'd ! And tho' the world a wilderness must prove, Thy soul shall breathe in liberty and love ! THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Now — as a Pilgrim — Christian Saint, Thy upward path pursue ; And when with difficulties faint, Bear thy blest home in view ! That home shall smooth the arduous wav, Shall cheer thy holy breast ; Thou knows't — each step leads on to day. And everlasting rest! Tho* burden'd here by evil's weight (To thee the saddest doom !) Thy entrance at mount Sion's gate, Shall prove thy burden's tomb ! Walk forth with faith at thy right hand, Protectress of the weak ; And let bright hope thy left command, And svhat she points at — seek ! c 2 so Let seraph love — speed on before, With wings that waft the skies ! — Bless'd with this train — thy Lord adore ! And hail with them — the prize I PETER'S FALL AND RECOVERY. — Why weep'st thus bitterly — thou fallen Saint ! Thy suff'ring woes what Poet's pen may paint ! — Thus bitterly why weep'st — I ask no more, But for myself — the self-same griefs implore ! — 'Twas not mount Sinai urg'd thy broken heart ; From sight of love divine sprung all the smart ! That gentle eye that gave thee light and life, Recall'd thy friendship in that fatal strife ! Ere twice the wakeful bird pioclaim'd the morn ; Thrice had'st thou left thy sacred Lord to scorn ! — — All human ties alas ! how short — how frail ! Tis love from God alone can never fail ! That love could pity, and forgive the past, And win by look thy feeble mind aghast ! Attracted thus — thou didst no more thy Jesus dear deny : But in his righteous cause a ready victim — die ! 31 JESUS BLESSING CHILDREN. Who is that child — adored Lord ! Whom thou wilt stoop to bless ? (So glows the passion of thy word,) With parent's love caress ! The child of nature's artless charms May sooth maternal breast ; Thou know'st the babe within thine arms, In sin and woe doth rest ! So born — it sure must merit hate ! For thou wast born divine ! So born — thy love must new create, To own that creature — thine ! And yet this child — compar'd with man, From thee a pattern gives ; He must its passive virtues scan, If he in heaven lives ! — Yet not from such need Christians learn, (Tho' babes the man may teach ;) — In Jesus innocence discern ! In Jesus truth of speech ! The child of Bethle'm humbly cloth'd, Was warm with sweet content ; And tho' by pride and folly loath'd, No malice in resent 1 32 His little heart was pure of guile , And thankful from his birth ; On enemies he turn'd a smile, And spread his peace o'er earth ? He envied none their richer lot, Their good his only aim ! In human nature's aid forgot The glory of his name ! Humility dwelt deep within ; His meekness all might read ; Free was his soul from touch of sin, In thought — in word — in deed ! — But drop my muse ; I dare not sing A theme where Angels fail ! —Take " Child of heaven"—" Holy thing !" A babe's — " Hosannahs hail I" ON PRIDE. Dbmon of Hell — stand forth ! with Christian eye I'll scan thy boasted worth — thy ride — thy aim ; That eye shall pierce within thy folded wiles, And bare thy bosom to the curse of God ! — From heav'n hurl'd down (to reign in heav'n how vain I) Thou stalk'st the evil world — that world thy prey I 33 Lordly usurper of the human heart, A hand divine shall seize thy brazen crown. And lay thee level to the dust of earth ! — Thy spark'ling beauties may deceive the vain, For these are thine, and all their rainbow hues ; Their idol thou — to thee they kneel, yet kneel For self — themselves their glory ! Demons all ! — Transform'd as Angel — oh — detested pride, Thou as with light'ning's blaze — inflam'st the soul ! Beneath the garb of fair humility Thou lur'st to airy heights each giddy mind, Bewitch'd by phantoms of thy brooding brain ! — Tho' as a God thou seem'st — how poor — how small Thy gifts ! thy fame — the poison'd breath of man ! The glory of thy throne the trump of time ! Ha ! thus long thy rule ! thus much thy worth ! self All thy aim ! — go — sprite accurs'd ! and with thee — Go — thy meager Ghosts ; hence ! justice divine Descends ! the God on earth — o'er hell — in heav'n ! CHRISTIANITY. 'Tis Finish' d !" man's salvation won ! Christ's cross ! This has redcem'd from guilt, — repair'd our loss ! Has bought eternal life by right divine ! And from a faith bestow'd — . f cures it mine ! \ et so secures — that I the cross mu*t kiss, And take it meekly to the throne of bliss ! c 3 34 The path of Christ with steadfast heart must tread, For this alone conducts to Christ our head ! — Aid then good Lord ! thy meanest creature — aid, For whom thy glorious self hast amply paid ! Nought can I bear or do — unheld by thee ; Let go — I sink to tenfold misery ! Draw me, Redeemer, with a holy force ! That I may truly run my Christian course ! To thee I'll look — attracted by thy pow'r ; Nor doubt thy promise — to my parting hour ! Thou who hast died — hast died — that I might live ; And wilt with endless blessings — all my sins forgive ! "THOU ART DUST!" (Reflection on :) Stiiangk theme is mine of dust to sing I Yet what but dust am I ? Alas ! with this despised thing, Man — mortal man — must lie ! This without life yet still is cleun ! F living — yet am dead I And seek in this — my dust to screen. Within its purer bed 1 35 The outward flesh tho' form'd to please, Is poison'd from within ! — The soul's the seat of man's disease. The dread disease of sin ! Ocean and earth — and fire and air The human race ahhor ! These o'er creation's rulers dare Wage an eternal war ! Say, shall I now the dust despise Tho' trampled under foot ? — This sighing heart — these weeping eyes My subject better suit ! Ah ! dust myself — and evil dust I All — all I boast is this ; To live to sleep in Christ the just, And wake to share his bliss ! In soul and body — man was he, Tho' human yet divine ! He dying won the victory, O'er all his foes and mine ! This sordid dust from death shall spring, A purer frame to gain ! And rising on celestial wing, With Christ for ever reign I 36 A SOLILOQUY Ah ! my soul — to me a stranger ! Now at length to thee I call ! Slighting thee I slighted danger ! Losing thee I lose my all ! Shall vile earth's beguiling pleasure, Longer steal myself from me ? No ! henceforth be thou my treasure ! Where's a treasure like to thee ! Tho' by worldly joys befriended, These in passing soon are pass'd ! Sure from heaven thou'rt descended ! And from age to age shalt last ! Image of thy great Creator 1 Once th' effulgence of his face ! Ah ! how chang'd thy spotless nature ' Curs'd in Adam's fallen race ! Yet a curse that wing'd a blessing ! E'en th' eternal gift divine ! Such thy woful slate confessing, Claim the gift that's freely thine I 37 Pour upon thy bliss with praises ; All its riches deeply scan ! Tis a theme the soul amazes ! " God — to smile on sinful man !' Know — not love — however willing, Could avail however great ! Holiness is crown'd by killing ! Truth and justice damn'd thy state ! Twas God's wisdom (sacred wonder !) Link'd with power — match'd with grace. That withheld the awful thunder Bursting on our ruin'd race ! See — the Son of peace descending ! Son of God — and Son of man ! Born to die — through death ascending I — He fulfhTd the righteous plan ! Rise ! my soul ! no more a stranger ! Glad — with thee on God I call f Fearing him — we'll fear no danger ! Lo I our Saviour's Lord of AU ! 38 TIME AND ETERNITY CONTRASTED. Oh ! should a Seraph — from the heav'nly skies Descend to distant earth, Methinks he'd view in agony of mind Its scenes of pomp and mirth ! Ah ! how unlike thy glorious scenes above, These vain pursuits of man ! Who daily doom'd to stoop to death's arrest. Dares against time to plan ! But as the sun oft without shining — shines, Shorn of its orient beams ; The human mind oft without thinking — thinks, Bedimm'd with worldly dreams I Ah ! dream no more ; awake — thy soul to win ! Let reason once bear sway ! Arise ! and speeding on the wings of faith, Salute the judgment day ! Behold the Seraphs and the Saints on high I Thyself — the world around ! Behold Satanic spirits chain'd in guilt ! — The Son of man — enthron'd! Hear ye the voice of majesty divine ! Hear now- — and live — to die ! The wreck of nature and thyself how near I Thy bless'd — or curs'd — eternity ! 39 THE CHRISTIAN PENITENT'S PETITION TO THE THRONE OF GRACE. On — pity Lord ! thou know'st my wretched state ! How weak — how blind — how sore — how all forlorn ! Oh — pity Lord ! tho' all deserv'd my fate ! Child of thy wrath ! by sin in sorrow born ! Too long I've liv'd an enemy to thee ! Too long have stray-ed in the wilds of vice I With contrite heart I haste on bended knee. To crave the merits of thy sacrifice I Didst thou not die that wretched worms might live ? Didst thou not rise to crown them with thy love ? Oh ! speak the word — the wish'd-for word — "Forgive!" And lift my spirit to the hope above ! Saviour's thy name — Almighty and divine 1 Oh, speak salvation to my drooping soul ! Matchless and boundless mercies Lord are thine I Oh — by such mercies make a sinner whole ! Then shall my Spirit seek in Thee alone, Her peace — her joys — her praises and her love ! Then shall Hosannahs reach thy gracious throne, From Saints and Seraphs in thy courts above ! 40 ON CHRISTIAN GRACE. Oh ! wand'rer ! lost in misery's dark vale, Fast bound in chains of sin ! Angels and Saints thy living death bewail ! A death without — within ! Bewail in vain ! alas ! their heav'nly prize Thou deem'st a passing dream ! Blind to thy state — the treasure of the skies, Is view'd a vacant theme ! Unhappy wretch ! — to hate thine only good ! To seek thy life in death ! Alas ! in vain e'en by thy Maker wood, Without his vital breath ! Awake ! arise ! — wing'd down from mercy's throne. Salvation I proclaim ! (Salvation free — unsought — unfelt — unknown !) In blest Immanuel's name ! Repent ! — believe ! — lo ! by a touch divine llcnew'd in body — soul ; Be this thy boast — that I rich grace am thine. By grace from Cod — made whole ! 41 ON CHRISTIAN HUMILITY ! — Who art thou, virgin of celestial stamp ? Thy soft and gentle looks beam forth with love ! — Is innocence thv name ? — then wherefore weep r For in thine eye the grateful tear is lodg'd : Thou seem'st unconscious of thine inward worth, And look'st above; is there thy peace — thy rest ? — Deaf to the praise of man — with silent tread Thou walk'st the earth — in doing good intent : — Art thou of mortal — or immortal birth ? What mean those sounds seraphic — songs of praise ? Of praise sent forth from heart-enraptur'd love ! — Thy theme divine bespeaks thee sprung from grace, And both from God ! — methinks I know thy name ; For thou in glory bright art clad from high, And with the highest shalt in glory shine ! Thy name and nature — one — befits his throne Eternal — where the righteous Lord of All His purchas'd bliss (the price of man and God !) Pours forth in floods of endless light and life ! There — there with rapt Saints and Angels — prostrate, (Gladly prostrate !) shalt thou thy peans shout, For ever shout — oh bless'd — ' Humility !' 42 A MIDNIGHT REFLECTION. Now day's gay sun bows down to ebon night, And silence reigns o'er nature husb'd to sleep ; Screen'd from myself, and all creation's light, I slowly rove in meditation deep ! Blest solemn hour ! when the still musing mind True to itself — soliloquies invents ; No heedless themes ! lo ! these left far behind, It seeks its lasting good, — reflects — repents ! Haste — mortal man ! let darkness light thine eye ! And image to thy soul — thy death — thy grave ! Ah ! dream no more of day — thy night is nigh ! Seek not the world — awake — thy soul to save ! Say, cans't thou see around — beneath — above ? — This sightless scene is all ! this all is thine ! What now avails of shows of life the love ? Declining thou — with thee its shows decline ! Thy solitary self is thine alone! — Not more without — a darkness rules within ! Thy inward peace and holy rest unknown ! The dupe of error — folly — fashion — sin ! 43 Oh ! let this midnight hour thy end recall, And earthly cares and toys of time control ! Lest sadder gloom thy dying frame hefall ! And horrors haunt thy poor benighted soul ! KNOW THYSELF! " Know well thyself oh man !" — Such was the Sage's cry ; — This mystery to scan, Demands an heaven-taught eye ! The wisdom of the wise Is folly of a fool ! Yet all — themselves do prize 'Till taught by sacred rule. Who thinks he sees when blind, Must judge the wrong for right ! First change the fallen mind From darkness into light ! — Can heaven spring from earth ? From error — truth be found ? Men need a second birth To tread celestial ground ! 44 But lighten' d from on high, With rays divinely bright ! To pride of self — they die ! And find their day — a night ! Lo ! all their fancied good, Gives place to worthy blame ! Themselves — now understood, They own — their merit's shame ! To seek in sense and time The blessings of the blest ; They view an awful crime ! And soar to God for rest ! 'Tis now their highest care To sue the throne above, By penitential pray'r, Humility and love ! Men — of this knowledge boast ! Enough for man to know ! All science else is lost ! Is vanity and woe ! 45 A REFLECTION ON THE HEAVENLY STATE To tell how ye celestial choirs On God in worship wait, The musing mind in vain aspires ; — Mysterious your state ! Whate'er's the language of the skies, Its utterance is love ! Since all the faithful — good and wise, Form Paradise above ! One tongue — one heart — one theme divine Inspires each heav'nly guest ; In one harmonious song they join, And blessing — all are blest ! No interjections there of woe, Nor thoughts of sorrow — sin ! Their rapture is themselves to know, Perfect — without — within ! Their* s is a speech concealed from earth ! Or heard — as folly deem'd ; 'Till by a second gracious birth, Light has on darkness beam'd ! 46 The living knowledge of that love Thron'd on our Saviour's face ; Do thou O Spirit — as a dove, Cherish in human race ! So shall all tongues as one — unite In holy pray'r and praise ! With Angels and with Saints of light, One Hallelujah raise ! THE RENEWED SPIRIT'S INVOCATION. Oh ! restless world of vanity and woe Where flatt'ring hope leads on to swift despair ! Whose brightest prospects glitter but in show, And all whose glories prove an emptv air Farewell ! and thou my Spirit — hcav'n-born thing, Tho' doom'd to linger in thy earthly frame ; Thou — like thyself — expand and upward wing, And in that blissful region pant for fame ! Not the hot thirst of earth's ambitious schemes, Nor all — nor any of its boasted worth ! Too well thou know'st that hers are cheating dreams, Poor transient praises, and poor carnal mirth ! 47 Taught by the power of Almighty love, And onward led (if led) by hand divine ! My Spirit soars for rest — far — far above ! The sacred good it seeks, blest Lord — is thine ! Eternal life ! our centre and our end, Let not such scenes of time our breasts enthrall ; To thee alone each human passion bend, Oh ! fix our highest aim on thee — our All ! THE COFFIN! Who undismay'd — can gaze on this ? — man's end ! The end of old — of young ! of all the whole ! Ah ! thither dreaded — yet unheeded — tend The shatter' d bodies of each living soul ! Yes ; born to die — to this — as friend or foe. The rich — the poor — the wise — the weak shall creep ! To sons of pleasure — terrible the woe ! To sons of piety — death's hopeful sleep ! This heart-appalling thing to nature's life ! (Just doom of years, past — present and to come !) Recalls to man how vain his earthly strife ! And summons him to seek in this Iris home ! 48 Ah ! vanity is all to him who knows (Well warrid by this '.) his day's a. fleeting cloud ! — Tis sacred wisdom to forewatch the close ! To eye each hour — the Coffin and the Shroud ' SUMMUM BONUM. Whatever ye think — whatever ye say, Tho' one thing alone is your good ; This Suramum bonum — blest theme of my lay, I'll prove is by few understood ! The phantoms of earth — wealth — pleasure and fame, Are courted by young and bv old ! The search of these things is ev'ry one's aim, Nor other good thing ever told ! From north to the south, from east to the west, All run and all cry for — for what ? Mere playthings of time and sense I protest ; Their true Summum bonum's forgot ! This chief good of one is chief good of all ! Yet by all dccin'd chief ill of man ! So silly it seems — so airy — so small ! It gains not his thoughts or his plan ! 49 [f one in a thousand knows what it is, And seeks it by eight and by day ; The rest will esteem him a madman or quiz, And strive to run out of his way ! Yet by your good leave — this truth I'll let fall, (Caress it or rue it ye must !) The things of this life will drop one and all, — Their owners return to their dust ! The joys of their feelings and fancies are past ! Their heaven is chang'd to an hell ! What their Summum bonum yields them at last, I leave their lost spirits to tell ! lint ye who yet sojourn shun their despair ! Urge now the good of the soul ! This — centred in God — (as Scriptures declare,) Lo ! this is the chief — and the whole ! THE SOUL'S DEPARTURE FROM THE BODY — My soul ! the hour is come ! that solemn hour That severs thee from self ! from man ! from time ! Immortal thing ! invisible to sight ; To sense unknown, — oh ! whither wilt thou flee ? 50 Intent I muse, — but thy ethereal form (If form the Spirit owns) my mind escapes ! I search — re-search ; then to myself return More, plung'd — more lost — the mystery so great ! Oh ! by what secret ties could mortal frame Thus long thy pow'r detain ? Thyself its life ! — The voice eternal (from whose voice arose Thyself his image !) my soul hath summon'd ! I feel — I feel the struggle deep within ! My body weakens — and the hearing ear Is clos'd ! — the clouded eye is fixed ! the tongue Is mute ! — the world recedes ! — I sink in death ! My boundless spirit soars to face its God ! What scenes ! what sights celestial ! — Angels ! Arch- Angels ! Saints in glory ! — Christ enthron'd ! With kindred souls — my soul (now known with ease !) On lightning's wing darts forth ! — " Oh hell ! — Oh heav'n !" SALVATION BY GRACE. 'Tis grace alone True Christian's own That leads the soul to heav'n ; To him above, Whose name is love, Glory and praise be giv'n ! 51 Lo ! sinners born, The Lord \vc scorn ! Yea, dare his wrath defy ! With hell-sprung pride Our evils hide And all his word belie ! But when with awe The holy law Pierces the rebel through ! To that he dies ! And tremb'ling' cries, I'm lost ! — what shall I do ? Sinner ! rejoice ! (He hears a voice,) Commit thy soul to me ! My law no more 'Gainst you shall roar , Jesus has set you free ! My throne on high, I left to die, And save the lost from hell ! The deed is done, The vict'ry's won, And vou with me shall dwell ! 52 The sinner hears ! Melts into tears ! And pours out fervent praise ! " Lord ! since I'm thine, By grace divine, I'll serve thee all my days ! And when I rise To view the prize The purchase of thy merit ! Long as I live Shall glory give To Father— Son and Spirit!" THE CARNAL MIND'S ADDRESS TO THE SPIRITUAL MIND. (Quaint style.) W h y weep — you silly man ? Behold — since time hegan The knowing world do plan For merry life ! Your days and nights forlorn, I day and night do scorn : For pleasure all are born, Child — husband — wife ! 53 Twere better far to die Than live with you to sigh ; Pray — wherefore should I cry Who feel no woe ? My years in joy I'll spend, Nor once behold their end ; The friend of mirth's my friend, — Each mope my foe ! 'Tis you the earth upset ; With ev'ry thing you fret ; Entangled in self's net, You stand my fool ! But I with open arms Embrace terrestrial charms Nor fear your false alarms My will my rule ! ! THE SPIRITUAL MIND'S ADDRESS TO THE CARNAL MIND. (Quaint style.) These taunts you ne'er would vent Did you like me — repent ; For know — the soul's lament For woe brings joys ! i) -2 54 The worldly things you choose, I heartily refuse ; The good my soul pursues, Nor ends — nor cloys ! As you — I once was mad ! As you with folly glad ! But what I deem'd as sad, Is now my peace ! You well may fear to die ! I joy to see it nigh ! And thankfully can eye My wish'd release ! If now you will not mourn. You then must lie forlorn ; Just recompense of scorn ! Oh— dreadful lot ! Your Spirit all aghast ! You'll sigh (in vain !) at last For earthly pleasures past ! And heav'n forgot ! I 55 THE HAPPY MAN Since time began, The happy man How seldom can we view ; 'Tis constant sought In things of nought, So bids each breast adieu ! Who thinks by wealth, Or e'en by health, This treasure to secure ; Himself doth cheat, His aim defeat, Still sick he is and poor ! In learning's store I'll grant there's more, Not, not of bliss — but woe ! The wise can tell, He knows it well, Still sighs, "Alas! 'tis so!" Now pleasure's smiles This youth beguiles, " How happy is my lot !" Stop, stop, my friend, Long ere your end, Yourself will cry 'tis not ! 56 Yet one more thing In rhyme I'll bring — The boast of pride or fame I To live on this, To most is bliss, But centred all in name ! I've now unfurl'd Whate'er the world Or things of time can give ; The truths I've told, Will tell as gold, The longer here we live ! Yet one and all, Or great, or small, True happiness might gain ; 'Tis ever found In mind that's sound, But flies the addled brain f Since time began,. The happy man, J [as heaven's worth in view This constant sought, Proves all else nought, So, all but heav'n, adieu! 57 \ HYMN ON CREATION AND REDEMPTION. Thee, great "I Am," " Existing One," Let daring sceptics doubt, A God ! a God ! yon radiant sun, These far-stretch'd lieav'ns, shout. To keep, direct, impel, control Such spheres, such works divine ! From nought to frame this mighty whole ! What mind can reach but Thine ? Earth's vasty orb, with grandeur spread, Self-balanc'd 'midst the sky, Points out to man some ruling Head, Some greater Pow'r on high. His Being stamp' d — his mightv deeds Aloud reveal his Name ; Th' o'erwhelming flood his Justice pleads ! His Wrath, the cities' flame ! O'er all below, o'er all above, His boundless Mercy flows ! The sunshine of Almighty Love With endless fervour glows ! d 3 58 How Great ! whose voice alone creates ! Whose presence fills all space ! Whose might through all things penetrates ! Whose thoughts all worlds embrace ! Thee, blest " I am," " Existing One," Seraphs and Saints adore ; Nor less thy bright Incarnate Son, Sent — " Nature to restore." By Him, in Thee, through Holy Ghost, The God-mvsterious-Three ! The peopled orbs, the heav 'nly host, Shall reign triumphantly ! Thus shall Creation's second birth More glorious arise ! And, founded on Emmanuel's worth, God be himself the prize ! Saints, Angels, shout ! Hosannahs shout ! Extol the Saviour'- grace I Your crowns laid low, with love devout. Worship before his face. 59 A FUNERAL PROCESSION. Dekv tolls the bell o'er man's departed day. Silent and sad the mourners tread their way ; The solemn scene arrests the giddy crowd. Dismays the wealthy, and appals the proud ! The song of mirth, and pleasure's gude end here — Mirth droops to woe, and pleasure drops the tear ! A spirit whispers from the passing dead : " Life's airy dreams, and life itself are lied ! Oh ! Meeting mortal — breathing but to die, Forego the present for — eternity /" THE LORD'S PRAYER PARAPHRASED. On ! Thou who dost the spacious heavens claim ! For ever hallow'd be thy glorious name ! Hasten the kingdom of thy gracious love ; Incline our hearts to serve thee as above. Give us this day our daily bread, good Lord ! As we forgive — forgiveness us afford ; Let no temptation overwhelm the soul — Each lawless passion to thy law controul : For all the powers that in heaven shine, Their grace — their glory — are for ever thine ! 60 SOLOMON'S ADAGE, " All is vanity and vexation of Spirit/' EXEMPLIFIED. Vain and vexing's all below, Through the fall of erring man ! All his peace is but in show ; Who his inward woes may scan r Tis a life oppress'd by cares, And unsettled as the wave ! 'Tis a life beset with snares, From the cradle to the grave ! Happiness, man's aim and end, Sought on earth was never found : Like a false but flatt'ring friend ; Like an echo to a sound ! Is fair knowledge man's pursuit ? Knowledge cannot yield him rest ! * How much bitter is the brute, Which, without it — yet is blest! ' EcclesifLStes (1st. chap.) — " In much wisdom is much t. and he who inrivaseth knowledge, incrcascth sorrow !" owing to the fall of man; but the brute fulfilling its crca w ill. i-- mi far at rest ! CI Seeks he all the world can give- ? And the glitt'ring toys of wealth r Can the soul contented live, Whilst depriv'd of saving health ? Does he pant for human praise, And the shouts of airy fame ? Whilst so fleeting are his days, All is but an empty name ! Sighs he for a nation's throne, And the crown of kingly pow'r ? What he wears is not his own ; He's the pageant of an hour ! Turn we to the poor man's lot — What a scene of toil and trouble From the Palace to the Cot — Life is but a vacant bubble ! Spurn these things of sense and time, Oh ! thou great tho' falVn spirit \ Seek the Angels' bliss sublime ! Seek the good which Saints inherit ? Tis thy Saviour's gift of love, Purchas'd by his blood divine ! And by faith, their rest above, Is to endless ages thine ! 62 SAINT PAUL'S RETROSPECT A D CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save Sinners, of whom I am chief." — 1st. Tim. i. " All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." — Rom. iii. By Satan rul'd, and bound by sin ! DefiTd without ! diseas'd within ! Shocking — and sad's my origin ! Mv Saviour ! Bv fury toss'd ! by madness driv'n ! I brav'd thy Hell ! I loath'd thy Heav'n ! A rebel long ! and yet forgiven ! My Saviour ! When Justice might have frown' d " depart !'' Thou did'st in mercy wing a dart, That piere'd and won my callous heart! My Saviour ! On thee thy Father's wrath was pour'd! Thj love embrae'd the flaming sword! Tin death redeem'd ! tin life restor'dl Mv Saviour ! 68 Renew'd by grace — I sin al)lior ! By faith unfeign'd to God I soar ! And with an humhle heart adore, My Saviour ! Short is my life — yet long appears ! Upheld by hope ! cast down by fears ! Rejoicing now ; and now in tears 1 My Saviour ! A Pilgrim here — whate'er my lot, 'Gainst Providence I'll murmur not, Nor deem thy promises forgot, My Saviour! The hour speeds on when 1 shall prove With kindred Spirits high above, The treasures of eternal love! My Saviour! Soon shall I view thy lace Divine ! Soon in thy ambient glory shine ! And shout that thou art ever mine ! My Saviour ! 64 THE SALUTATION OF THE ANGELS TO THE SHEPHERDS BY NIGHT. First Shepherd. " If morrow's sun shall cheer the wintrv dav, " O'er Bethlehem's fields our bleating flocks must stray." Second Shepherd. " Bethlehem ! the joy of ev'ry pious mind! •' Thence shall Messiah rise to bless mankind." Third Shepherd. " Ah ! sure, what holy prophets long foretold, " These times eventful shortly will unfold." [Aerial music. Fourth Shepherd. " What blissful notes are these ? oh, heav'nly sound ! " Brothers, look up ! lo, Angels all around !" The Angels. ' Rejoice, O youths ! and banish ev'ry fear ; * Tidings of joy salute your list'ning ear : ■ To vou this day the Saviour Christ is born. • O'erlook'd by pride, and of the rich the scorn ; ' But to the poor, the penitenl in heart, ' Shall Christ the merits of himself impart. Arise, my friends; leave here your folded fleei • In Bethlehem's manger Bee the Babe of Peace. * Glory to God ! on earth celestial rest ! E'en men with Angels shall be ever blest !" G5 HOPEFUL YOUTH WARNED AND ENCOU- RAGED. Rbmbmber youth (in feeling strain I warn thee) To flee the Sirens hov'ring to hetray, Else all the bloom of fruits that now adorn thee Will fall decaying to thy heart's dismay ! O guard with watchful care life's opening flow'r, By Virtue's aid expand it to the sun ; And if but little be thy native pow'r, Be more intent each blasting ill to shun. Ne'er court the smiles of gay delusive Error, Ne'er touch the hand of soft seducing Lust ; Those smiles allure thee to the haunt of Terror That hand will strike thee with a dying thrust ! Beware of Sloth in arbour shades reclining, Nor heed the trickings of her idle brood ; The ease she proffers ends in lonely pining, And chills each ardent wish of active good. Spurn from thy mind the gain of Evil's treasures, To gloom of death her tempting mines lead down . Nor list the call of Fortune's boasted pleasures, She lures to pain, and leaves for smiles a frown ! 66 Let not the shows of airy Pride deceive thee, Nor lurking Envy steal within thy breast ; Pride on her giddy heights will laughing leave thee. And Envy cherish'd canker all thy rest ! Each crooked road with wisdom's eye surveying, Shall urge thee onward in the path of bliss ; And step by step (bright conscience obeying) Peace, Hope, and Joy, shall press contentment's kiss ! THOUGHTS ON SEEING A LAMP AT MID- NIGHT FROM MY CHAMBER. Yon feeble lamp, that glimmers in the dark, To guide the trav'ller at the midnight hour ; Seems in the distant view a solitary spark, That scarce emits around the little glow-worm's pow'r. Ah ! here, as turning on the bed of sleep, — (Too oft in age the restlessness of rest !) Whilst on its pallid light I, musing, fondly peep E'en so, methinks, appears mere human mind at best. The rays of reason weakened by the fall, As rayless seem — so dim — so cold — so dead ; Itself, l)\ self bewilder'd, e'en its beams LnthraJ And further lead astray the long lost wand'rmg head ! 67 It this the truth, oh ! how could mental blaze * (Tho' wisdom call'd) ascend to things Divine ? One heavenly thought — the heavenly sun must raise, And to the inner man in living glory shine ! t So (blissful news !) o'er these once darken'd isles, Spreads the bright radiance of the " gospel's grace !" O'er twinkling nature's gloomy night, day's orient smiles. With lire celestial dart-kindled in " Jesu's face!" LINES Written by a Christian Parent on Christmas-Day, watch- ing over his sick Infant. Ah ! lovely babe, you weep, yet know not why ; Oh ! may you live, and live to weep as I ! I weep to think, whilst gazing on your charms, (Oh ! could I say tears but of false alarms,) I weep to think, that in those dove-like eyes Some brooding mischief lurks — lurks in disguise ! I weep to think, that on your pallid cheek A blush — a blush must rise — I dare not speak ! k "The world by roisdom knew not God." — St. Paul. t " Christ, the light of the Gentiles, the glory of his people Israel"— St. Luke. 68 I weep to think your little lily hand Will grasp on evil by its own command ! I weep to think the soft and downy ear Shall list' to language which it should not hear ! I weep to think those tender feet will run In devious paths, they should, but will not shun ! I weep to think, that in your gentle heart Should he concealed life's all envenomed dart ! I weep to think, that o'er your infant frame There hovers (tho' unseen) foes that I dread to name ! APOSTROPHE. Oh ! Babe of Bethle'm, wherefore wast thou born The babe of sorrow, friendless and forlorn ? Thine was a heart more than the heavens pure, Why should that heart such woes of life endure ? Thine was an eye more innocent than dove, Why should it weep, unless it wept through love ? Prostrate, my Muse, and stay the trembling line ! Who shall presume to sing thee, babe divine ? Yet shall I weep ? Yes — but the tears of love ! " For us a child is born — born from above ! " For you, my babe, unconscious of your state,* He breath' d — he died — he rose ! Oh love how great ! Yet shall 1 wee]) ? Yes — but in tears of joy! No sin nor woe shall long our souls annoy ; ' Horn in sin. See Catvchism. 69 " For us the child was born who rules the sky, And lives, that those who diet may never die." Rise then, our souls, seek rest in him above, Let ev'ry thought and deed be centred in his love ! My pretty babe ! yet weep'st, and know'st not why ? Oh ! may'st thou live, and live to weep as I, Assur'd that godly grief shall end without a sigh ! FAREWELL FROM A MINISTER TO HIS PARISHIONERS. Farewell ! my friends ! and take one parting line Respecting truths — momentous and divine ! — Oh, bear in mind, the wretched fall of man ! His nature evil ! and his days a span ! No peace on earth, — nor happiness in heav'n, Can man obtain, unless in Christ forgiv'n : 'Tis not by works (as some do fondly boast,) That sinners can regain the good they lost ; Oli ! blest lmmanucl ! Thy worth alone, Can clear the guilty, and their crimes atone ! — To know yourselves, and feel your sinful state, Is the first step that leads to heav'n's gate ; Hence — springs true sorrow, and a faith unfeign'd ; A faith in Christ — who all our sins sustain'd ! t Die to 6in. 70 Hence — to the Father — love (chastis'd by awe,) And free obedience to his holy law ; Hence — charity to man — peace and good will ; And ev'ry grace that can the bosom fill ; Thus (by the Spirit wrought,) the real Christian lives, And — having all from God — to God the glory gives ! Amen. SEEKING THE SAVIOUR. Jesus — Saviour of mankind ! To thy laws my passions bind ; Long I've wander'd from thy face, Long have shunn'd the Christian race ; Since from thee I went astray, Nought but thorns have strew'd my way ! — Worldly pleasures end in pain ; Are at best a gilded chain ! Touch me with thy grace divine ; Make me, Lord ! for ever thine ; Thou alone cans't set me free ; Bear me o'er life's troubled sea ! Thou alone cans't make me blest, (jive my soul thy hcav'nly rest ! — To thyself my passions bind, Jesus — Saviour of mankind ! 71 ON CHRISTIAN LOVE. Great source of love — of joy — of peace, Grant wars and tumults here to cease ; Thou — the good Shepherd of thy sheep, I Aill each bad passion into sleep ! — For our sakes what weight of woe Did lowly Jesus undergo ! Then oh — let us his steps pursue, And walk in love and friendships true : No more indulge in envious spite, But live as — " Children of the light !" THE CHRISTIAN'S HYMN ON THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. When Thou, O Lord, in heav'nly pomp. Descend'st to judge mankind ; O grant that we may stand with joy, With Thee acceptance find ! With grateful hearts, Almighty Lord, We sing thy matchless love ! And trust, ere long, through reigning grace, To sing with saints above ! 72 No longer now the trifling songs Of this vain world amuse ; Our new-born souls despise the joys Which unbelievers choose ! Thy day, that to the sinner brings Terrific woe and pain ! Brings to thy saints celestial rest, For such with Thee shall reign !- With Thee, whose face outshines the Sun ! Whose goodness knows no end ! Whose kingdom solid joys affords, Joys that all thoughts transcend ! There, great Redeemer, shall thy saints Thy beaming glory view ! And there, with holy Angels quaff Pleasures for ever new ! Then grant, O Lord, we meet with joy, With thee acceptance find, When Thou with high angelic pomp Descend'st to judge mankind! 73 Clerical Characteristic ^IcrojBfttcjs, "THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE HAD IN EVER LASTING REMEMBRANCE." C hkist's radiant glory was thy mightiest aim R edeemed Saint ! to preach and spread his fame I ntent, — thy bliss all centred in Immanuel's name ! S o sin detesting ; holiness thy friend ; P raise was thy life, and heav'n-born Peace — thy end ! Robert Hall. H oly and heav'nly was thy Christian race ; A ngelic thoughts beam'd from thy sacred face ! L ow earth's affairs beneath thy feet were trod ; L ifted by life divine — thy All — was all in God ! Thomas Scott. S edate — yet cheerful ; wise in wisdom's light. C louds of dark error fled your piercing sight : O nward each day — as day's life beaming orb — vou shone ! — T housands through you have gain'd the heavenly rest ! 1 T housands shall yet arise, and by your toils be blest ! [ ! 74 C lad in the brightness of thy long-lov'd Lord ; E clips'd by none who wav'd the living sword ; C onstant to truth — in heart and lip — through life ; I n thee proud Infidels receiv'd soul stunning shock ; L ike madd'ning waves repell'd — striking the stedfast rock ! H appy wast thou dear Saint — through troubled life ; I n holy virtue bold, — yet meek in strife ; N o pride — no envy lodg'd within thy breast ; T hv aim was heav'nly — as thy heaven's rest ! O 'er thee thy flock — in hope both joy and weep ; N ow more awake to gain thy Christian sleep ! Bislwp Hall. H oly and humble was your Christian race ; A fflictions undeserv'd you bore with meekest grace : L ong shall your pious thoughts on wisdom's page, L ive in each heart renew'd, and bless from age to age ! C elestial thy life — divine thy light, I I eaven's grand glories stand unveiled to sight ! A ngelic powers dignified thy mind ; It apt in the wonders of rcdeem'd mankind ! N o earthly thoughts intrude — no worldly dreams ; O \r all thy works immortal Sion beams! C hrist and his cross, and all his matchless grace ! K ing — Priest — and Prophet of his ransom'd race ! E nrob'd with life by their Immanuel's face ! 75 H umility from Christ imbib'd — blest Saint was thine ! U ndaunted was thy Christian course for truths divine ! R ich in the tcelcom'd loss of sublunary things, N ow reap the sacred treasures of thy king of kings \ L ight from soul darkness you spread round the world ; — U ndaunted — against error's wiles you huiTd T he two edg'd sword divine — nor smote in vain ! — H oly yourself — lo — godliness your gain ! — E ngag'd like Paul who fought for truth in love, R est now for ever round the throne above ! S aint — thrice endear' d to each enraptur'd soul ! A midst the great and high a pillar of thy Lord.. U naw'd — you — pour'd in eloquence divine R eligion's solemn truths, and fear and love call'd forth ! I niquity fled back — and virtue reign'd ! N o wonder! — viewing God as stamp'd by grace in you! B lest of mankind were you O Saint of God ! U nder his guidance you life's journey trod, N or sunk beneath his kind afflictive rod ! Y our wearied frame now rests in calm repose, A nd pious soul — once exercis'd in woes N ow dwells at "Ease — nor one heart trouble" knows L W I'll hast thou run thy rapid Christian race O h Saint rever'd — blest minister of grace ! L ong shall thy pious labours fertilize the land ! F orgetting health to serve thy Lord's command, E 'en aged Saints behind thv ardent footsteps stand ! J 76 R est — heav'nly Spirit of immortal birth ! I nspiring grace has stamp'd on you her worth ! C elestial your walk — you as an Angel shone H oly and humble 'till your work was done ! M any a sheep shall bless your Shepherd's care, n manna fed ! thus grown divinely fair ! N ot that you claim d the least of praise above ; D etesting self — to reach redeeming love ! C ontrite and humble — full of peace and love, E 'en Angels wait to court thy soul above ! N o selfish acts pervade thy pious breast ; N or pride nor passion break thy holy rest ; 1 n thee we read the Saviour's mind and heart ; C atch the fair virtues which his truths impart ; K indie a flame divine — and urge the heav'nly mart ! R ich in the graces of the Lord of life, saint of God — how radiantly you shone ! M eek — unaffected — dead to human strife ; A like to pride and praise — you liv'd to Christ alone ! 1 n Jesus centr'd all your mind and heart ; N or could your soul endure another theme ! — E 'en Angels blush, and own your love divine — supreme! L ike nature's orb diffusing genial light and heat, E 'en thus thyself and works in vital glory shine ! I n thee the placid lamb, and noble lion — meet ; G entle in heart to all, — yet bold for truth divine ! H cav'n and hcav'n's Lord so much thy constant aim, T hy x cry features beam with sacred peace and love ! — O rare and matchless Saint, and first in Christian fame, N <>w from a star below — thou ^hin'st a sun above! 77 H umane and feeling as the meek-eyed dove, E ndearing virtue by all conquering love ! R eligion owns you as her Christian guide, V oid as the babe of guile — of wrath — of pride ! — E ntrane'd by truths divinely good and wise, Y ou liv'd, — you wrote, — you preach'd, — " Immanuel your prize !" H ell's dark deceits, and heav'n's eternal plan, U nveil'd by you — dethrone, and crown lost man ! — S cripture your guide, by reason thence divine, S ion and Sion's Christ in God's own glory shine ! E ndear'd to truths so great — so deep — so high, Y our spirit spurn d earth's life, and sprang for joy to die! T hemes how mysterious — holy and divine, R ivet thy soul, and manifest them thine ! A h — thou hast seen by more than mortal sight, I n self all darkness, — but in Christ all light ! — L ife from the Spirit fits for life above ! L o ! hence — thy Christian fruits — "Humility and love!" M ajestic in thy mind ; thy ev'ry aim divine ; 1 n thy bright works what beams of heaven shine ! — L iberty ! — darling of thy noble breast ! T ruth ! who in thee secur'd her holy rest ! O nward with these thy new-born spirit soar'd, N or less in death — than life, their radiant worth ador'd ! e 2 78 I n Christ's grand truths and ways your spirit seeks to shine ; V irtue depriv'd of these — stands forth but specious sin ! I n human wisdom's eye — dark is the light divine ! M en's deeds tho' fair without — too oft are foul within ! E nrich'd with heav'n-born faith — whose fruits are void of guile ! Y ou pity sinner's frowns — to win your Saviour's smile ! M ov'd by Christ's love and by his spirit taught, A ngelic was thy life in word — in deed — in thought ! N o selfish aims disturb'd thy pious breast ; T he good of others was thy fondest rest ! 'er all thy works divinest light is given, N or knows the gracious soul more holy guides to heav'n ! John Richards, Bath. R eligion's fruitful rays and cheering light, 1 n thee through each returning day, shone bright ; C andour and meekness dwelt in all thy speech ; H oly in reproof, — happy to beseech ; A 11 thoughtful as thy Lord in doing good ; R ich in the treasures of the Spirit's food ; D eath was to thee the messenger of love, S erenely wafting to the rest above ! 79 tyoem* fttoral antr ftriscrtptibe. A POET AND HIS RETREAT. No stately edifice with grandeur crown'd, Nor spacious park by antique trees girt round, Attracts my Muse ; 'tis yonder Cot, scarce known Though often seen — a rural Poet's own ! Some calm abode I sought, sought long in vain ; Here found at length, I ev'ry wish obtain. Well sang the Bard, in his affecting song, " Man wants but little, nor that little long!" Not Crescent's pile, nor noble Allen's seat, Can yield the bliss of this my snug retreat. Hail ! lowly Cot, to me an Hermitage ! The short or lengthen'd remnant of mine age, In thee I trust to pass ; here, here I find All that invites the pensive musing mind ; Here scenes enjoy that captivate the sight, And yield at little cost, heartfelt delight ! Remote from noise and all the city's dance, (Yet near enough for philosophic glance,) Here I explore the manners of mankind, And oft depict the world ; too sure to find, The more I seek the better understood, Its evil great ! but, ah ! how little good ! In quest of bliss, too oft abroad we roam ; If e'er obtain'd, 'tis best obtain'd at home : 80 But neither there nor here can rest be found ; From God she springs and treads celestial ground ! Creative Fancy, Genius all sublime, I claim not ; content in artless rhyme To sketch fair Nature's face, and, as I stray, Cull wholesome lessons in a winning way ; Virtue and vice no stronger aid receive ; Prose may assist, in Poesy they breathe ! I seek not wealth, I labour not for fame ; The good of all, my highest — only aim. Thus sang a Poet in his peaceful Cot, And bless'd the Hand that fix'd his happy lot. AN EULOGY ON COWPER. Cowper ! your verse, your charming verse divine. Bids wit to ripen, — bids e'en dulness shine ; Your angel-strains compel me to aspire, (Mean though I am) and seize the Muse's lyre. Hail, holy Bard ! illum'd by light above ; Sweetly you pen the bliss of hcav'nly love ; From Nature's works (a good and winning plan) You drew examples meet for erring man ; With soundest sense and unaffected ease, Your numbers flow, and playful fancy please ; Your words are cull'd with such a magic art, Each leaf confirms and guides the wav'ring heart 81 The scenes of nature vou have drawn so clear, Nature herself doth not more bright appear ; With judgment keen, and nervous strength of mind, You paint the sins and virtues of mankind ; The mimic glass reflects indeed the face, But vou the motives of the heart can trace I J Equal to ev'ry theme, jocose or grand, You both our laughter and our tears command. Whene'er your muse attempts a sprightly style, Your decent wit allures a modest smile ; When the wrapt lines in praise of Jesus flow, You swell our thoughts, and cause our breasts to glow ! When soft compassion melts along your verse, And you the sorrows of the world rehearse, — Unfold the scenes that vex life's shifting stage, — Then tears of pity wet the mournful page. Dear Christian Bard ! once more I hail your name, And joy to view you on the list of fame ; There rank'd with Milton, you like Milton shine, Both heav'nly born, both fill'd with love divine ! REFLECTION ON A FIELD OF WHEAT IN HARVEST TIME. Around I look, and peaceful nature trace, To cull an emblem of the Christian's face ; And in my pleasing search find none so meet His worth to paint as yon life-yielding wheat. k 3 82 Full well he knows (by deep experience taught) Self's boasted things, though fair, are ever naught.* This solemn truth the sacred books unfold ; " Man's brightest deeds prove but the dross of gold." Works Heaven shall own must all from Heaven descend. Returning there, their birth, their growth, their end. So bears the goodly saint the holy fruit, And prais'd by others yet himself is mute ; He will not, cannot, lift an airy head, To all but love of God he's gladly dead ; He knows, he feels, poor human nature all Alike corrupted by th' Adamic fall ! By grace divine he bears his richer stores, And bending low, in wonder lost, adores.t BELSHAZZAR'S IMPIOUS FEAST AND OVERTHROW. (Suggested by Mr. J. Martins celebrated Picture.) " Let lords in thousands list their monarch's call, Drink to th' Assyrian gods within each splendid hall ; 1 Lord of the Earth, I'll sport the flowing wine, In Jewish cups long boasted as divine !" Thus spake Belshazzar, towering in pride, With shouts of praise by all his myriads eyed. * St. Luke xvi. 15. t As a shock of corn in its season. I The halls of Astarte, or the Babylonian Venus. 83 Above, the moon — the star — 'midst azure sky. Shone silent o'er the city's majesty ; When, lo ! 'midst mirth, and song, and festive dance A sudden horror seiz'd each countenance ! A frightful swoon, an agonizing sting, O'erpowered the haughty and luxurious king ! Whilst yet he drank, and roll'd his lustful eyes, He on the wall a ghostly hand descries ! (The astounded soothers trembled at the sight, And all the magii sunk in mental night.) Amaz'd he saw it pen the awful line — " Descend, proud king, the throne's no longer thine, No solid virtue balances the scale ; Thyself shalt fall — thy kingdom too shall fail !" So the wise seer * unveil'd the mystic stamp, Seen on the palace- wall by God's despised lamp. Lo ! fearing Him, he knew no other fear ; Bold to declare his Lord Most High ruled here ! — Thus kings — thus gods — all Babylon's proud fame, Vengeance Divine with lightning's f speed o'ercame, And left, and only left, an ever-blasted name ! * The holy Prophet Daniel. t The appearance of lightning is admirably introduced in Mr. Martin's picture : and the moon in conjunction with the planet of Astarte. 84 THE GATHERED ROSE. I nipp'd a young rose as I stray'd, (In a garden as Eden it blew ;) 'Twas like a fair virgin array'd, With bosom conceal'd from the view. I gaz'd on its charms with delight, With delight I partook of its smell ; When, lo ! a fond bee peep'd in sight, And flew from its deep crimson cell. Ah ! happy methought is thy lot, Whose bed is the breast of the rose ; Encircl'd with honey thy spot, How soft and how sweet thy repose ! Thou wearest, 'tis true, a sharp dart, From evil's approach to release ; But man's sting is fix'd in his heart, And rifles his bosom of peace ! From without, tho' compass'd with joys, A thorn still rankles within ! His bliss of himself man destroys, By sucking the venom of sin ! 85 LINES Suggested on revisiting the Royal Crescent {long the abode of the Author s Parents), after an absence of five and twenty years ! Oh ! with what change (sad change) of thought, I now review Thee Crescent — nohle pile ! where first I breath'd and grew : Ah ! then thy graceful curve, and massy pillar'd pomp Unheeded stood ! to bask at ease, or gaily romp, Was all I thought or knew ! and happy little state ! "Tho' ignorance was bliss" — the wise, the rich, the great Command no more ! — alas ! with growth, each coming year Lessen'd my infant joy — and mark'd the man with care ! (So frisk the new-born lambs o'er sunny bank or mead ; This sprightly season pass'd, pensive they lie or feed.) — Thou princely pile ! where now thy great, thy rich, thy wise ? Alike they're vanish'd ! each entomb'd in silence lies ! And in thy splendid mansions lo ! another race, Unknowing and unknown,* speed to their destin'd place, Here as a shade I stand o'er mortal man's career ; And shed, what all have shed, or must, the human tear! Tis well ! and happy he who knows from feeling breast, Ne'er sprung from earthly good its inward peace and rest. * That is, to or by the Author. 86 Thou Crescent, grandly strong ! farewell ! a short liv'd year May bring thy young (now old) possessor to his bier ! Thus as the parents droop'd, so droop the daughter — son ! And leave succeeding babes their toilsome course to run ! Till Time himself worn out, shall fall with wither'd wing. And that blest world arise of everlasting spring ! THE HEN AND HER CHICKENS, DELINE- ATED AND MORALIZED: Welcome — fond bird ! whom the great Lord above, Cull'd for an emblem of Almighty love ; Well pleased — I'll strive thy tender cares to paint, And sketch a picture for the Christian saint ! — What time love's pledges fill thy hopeful nest, Thou seek'st to nourish by maternal rest ; The busy Hen that o'er the garden roves, Attracts thee not ; nor hunger scarce removes ; Fix'd to thy charge, thou hardly seem'st to note Tl.y partner — mourning for thy prison'd lot ! Patient thou sit'st, — nor heed'st the cheering light ! Alike to thee — bright day, or gloomv night ! — At length — by feather' d warmth — the long'd-for brood Cherish' d to life, — burst forth, — and ask their food : The bill that pierced with art each pregnant case, Nuw pecks around, — around the little race 87 Intent attend ; — the sought-for grain — the Hen With jocund voice proclaims, and pecks again ; The sprightly chicks by varied morsels fed, Seek 'neath her outspread wings their downy bed : August's the mother ! and with glancing eye Watches each bird that darts along the sky ; Tho' weak in nature, — by affection strong, She dares the foe that hovers o'er her young ! Then views with looks serene (in love exprest,) Her nestlings peeping through her plumy breast ! For them she lives ; for them would gladly die ! Her only bliss — her tender progeny 1 — Go then, oh Saint, and with her power of love, Embrace thy Saviour and the hope above ! — Blest Lord ! who in the brooding hen could'st view, Sparks of thy pity for the wretched Jew ! What earthly thing can teach a love like thine ? Love — like thvself ! — Eternal and Divine. THOUGHTS ON VIEWING AN ANCIENT ASH TREE IN BOUNDS-PARK, NEAR TUNBRIDGE WELLS. Hail! antique Ash ; thy elephantine bulk, And massy limbs far-stretch'd, (each limb a tree Gigantic !) strike the Poet's musing mind With solemn awe ! Deep-rooted in earth's womb, In leafy pomp thou wav'st thy head sublime ! The storms of ages thou hast braved, and still 88 Majestic look'st, though marr'd ! But ah ! thy weak Beholder, (weak through the forbidden tree !) E'en while he gazeth feels his strength decay. Thou stood'st, perchance, coeval with yon seat, That from the airy height of Bidborough Yon ampitheatric hills, yon towers Superb, and widely- wooded plains, o'erlooks. The hands that raised it, thou hast seen laid low, And mark'd the fall of each possessor frail — Ah ! late of her whose exit all bemoan, The light of rank, and of the poor the life ! * What time rude winter pluck'd thy verdant garb, Expos'd thy limbs, and shook thy hollow base, Her feeble breath forsook her ; thrice happy Now thy soul ! freely it roves God's Eden, Seat of seraphic peace and love divine ! And as again, thou venerable tree, When smiling Spring returns, thy naked boughs Forlorn their foliage shall resume, — daughter Of Sion ! so thy mortal frame (too soon To moulder doom'd !) triumphant sball arise Immortal, and with glory rob'd : on thee Eternity itself shall make no change, Wrapt in the radiance of the Loud of Life ! ' The late Dowager Countess of Darnlry. 89 ON A LITTLE FLY THAT TRAVERSED THE AUTHOR'S BOOK WHILST READING. Well, little tiny thing, What here can you engage ? Why skip* on airy wing About a student's page ? Your's is the happy lot, That nothing need'st to know ; But Man — or wise, or not, Still leads the life of woe. The great Creator's laws You happily fulfil ; Man 'gainst his Maker wars, Chain'd to his slavish will! He need not pity you, Nor scorn a simple fly ; Sorrow's the sinner's due, Doom'd with a curse to die ! But, oh ! you tread a leaf Replete with love unsought ; Assuaging human grief, — Transcending human thought. * The very small insect alluded to, though it has wings, may be said rather to skip than fly. 90 Go, now, you tiny thing, Nor longer me engage ; Go, sport on airy wing: I'll muse the hopeful page.* ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE SWALLOWS. Ye swallows, that quiver around, And thick on my cottage alight, Too well I perceive by your sound Th' approach of your annual flight. Our winter (so cold and so drear) Is dreaded by me as by you ; But whither, sweet birds, will ye steer, When bidding our island adieu ? Should ye fly o'er mountain and main For Africa's sun-glowing air, When my cottage ye visit again, Oh! tell me that Freedom is there. Twit ! twit ! little birds as ye rove, You wing for an Eden below ; And Saints, for a better above, Rejoice through life's voyage to go. * The excellent Archbishop Lcighton's Works. Subject, Christian Redemption. 91 Uncertain are ye of your bliss, Perhaps yc may reach it no more : Believers of theirs cannot miss, Faith wafts them securely ashore ! ON THE RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS. Oh, welcome ! thrice welcome ! sweet birds, Ye sprightly forerunners of spring, But, alas! from Africa's coast,* No tidings of freedom ye bring ! Curs'd Slavery still rules abroad, And Discord still threatens at home ; Love and Peace are spurn'd from the earth, Confusion's wherever ye roam ! Yet cheer me awhile, gentle guests ; Come, twitter and wing round my cot ; Had I pinions to soar mid the sky, With you would I take my blest lot. In union and friendship ye fled ; In union and love ye return ; Ah! when on this globe, so defac'd, Will mortals such harmony learn ? * Alluding to the 3rd. Stanza on the Departure of the Swallows. 92 Swift speed the good times long foretold, When malice and evil shall cease ; When, like ye, even man shall delight In Freedom, in Virtue, and Peace ! LINES, SUGGESTED ON VIEWING THE FIGURE OF JUSTICE ERECTED OVER THE GUILDHALL, BATH. With looks sedate — above her palace walls, Thus to each Judge below, fair Justice calls. " Rulers ! to you I grant my seats of right ; Be to the dumb a tongue, the blind a light ! The good and harmless every aid afford, y But to the guilty point th' avenging sivord ! With even balance weigh each proffer'd cause, And seek your glory in my sacred law 7 s : As seeing — see not ; as not seeing— see ; Bound by no tie — be each decision free : Nor scorn the poor man — nor the rich befriend ; Begin in justice — and with justice end : So shall the Judge — (the righteous Judge of all, Beneath whose throne the nations prostrate fall ;) While horror haunts th' unfaithful and the vile ! Bid conscience cheer you with her peaceful smile ; A bliss — not wealth — nor grandeur can impart, The inward treasure of the honest heart ! " 93 THE CONTEMPLATION OF NATURE, A Source of Joy, conducive to Morality, and a Handmaid to Religion. 'Mm cv'nings' calm done I love to stray, And down the woodland slope incline my way ; The secret path — the rural growing trees, Cherish fond thoughts, each gentle passion please ! The cawing rooks that sail on busy wing, The little birds that all around me sing, Yon bleating sheep that climb the mountain's brow The neighing nag — the stately grazing cow, Yon Shepherd whistling midst his scatter'd fleece, — These all combine to sooth the soul to peace ! And me, a life retir'd, far more delights, Than artful pomps, and noisy joyless sights ! — Ah ! nature's fruitful face would men explore, Small need were then to turn old sages o'er ; Would man from jealousy and strife be free ? •The wooing dove shall teach him sympathy ! If torpid sloth shall creep within his breast, The bird of morn shall rouse him from his nest ; Would he in wisdom seek an high degree ? Let him behold the ever-toiling bee ; If he his mind too readily would shew, Lead him to where the scented violets grow : These to his thoughts will this reflection raise, Those lure the most who shun, not seek for praise ; 94 And thus in nature's fair reflecting glass, We on ourselves may praise or censure pass ! View now the sun glide slowly down the hills ; The radiant sight the mind with rapture fills ! With orb illum'd, in majesty serene, It tints yon lofty towers* — yon circling scene ! Intent I gaze ! and in the vision trace The bright effulgence of the Saviour's face ! Lo — as the rays of earth's celestial light Shed on yon clouds a lustre heavenly bright, E'en so thy looks — Redeemer of mankind, Dart beams of holv wisdom on our mind : Dark in ourselves — by thy blest light we shine ! No praise we claim ; the praise and glory's thine ! — Thus nature studied benefits the heart More than the pages which the schools impart ; The world was made — the sacred tome was giv'n, To lift the soul to God ! to catch the glimpse of Heav'n! AN EPISTLE TO A FRIEND, ON HIS PURCHASE OF A SMALL BUT PLEASANT ESTATE. "Estates, my friend, though called by lawyers free, — Free in themselves, arc bound to you — to me — "Tia leasehold all — that lease uncertain life, Begun in sorrow, passed in ceaseless strife ! • Oxford. 95 1 pity then the man, whose eager aim Distracts himself, to get terrestrial fame ; The lordly mansion, and its boundless land, Tis true may every thing but peace command ! The more he grasps of this poor earthly world, He from his centre's rest is further hurled ! The bliss he fancies, and the charms he frames, He finds (what all have found) delusive names ; This truth the poet's pen may well suppress, — The vacant hall and park this truth confess. Unhappy owners of your splendid home, — Unhappy in yourselves where'er you roam ! The sport of pleasure — covetous of gain — Ye sow in sorrow, and ye reap in pain ! Oh ! bless the happy medium of your lot ; With smiles enjoy your garden and your cot. Friend of ray heart — of worldly snares beware : A Thornton's wealth, with Thornton's worth — how rare ! The pilgrim's tracts let you and I pursue, And bid these vexing transitory things — adieu ! " MONASTIC STANZAS TO THE HOUR GLASS. Come, useful guest to man ! The preacher's ancient friend ; With whom his text began, With whom his speech would end. 96 Long banish'd from the desk By irreligious hand ; And now a thing grotesque ! Come — on my table stand. While some seek idle news, And others love to roam ; On thee I'll gladly muse Within my peaceful home. Swift runs the sand of Time ! As swift speeds life away ! How short the hour of prime ! When all is but a day ! As from the glass above The particles descend, So thronging mortals move Down to their silent end ! See — as the atoms fall, How each to each gives room ; So age to youth ; — so all Rush to their final doom ! The filtering grains below Rise like a conic hill ; While others downward go, And up their places fill : So men ascend the mount Of Fortune or of Fame ; Till more their height surmount, And hurv wealth and name ! 97 \ 'lollow opens wide Fast as the sands descend . And as our moments glide, All's vacant to the end ! Thus speeds the life of man, E'en from the mother's womb ! 'Till the last hour has run, That brings him to the tomb ! THE GLOW-WORM. When blushing sol eludes my sight, And twilight shuts the day, Then by the Glow-worm's pallid light Alone I love to stray. Hail ! now, thou solitary place,* Where not a being stirs ; I'll linger near thy mould'ring base, And 'neath these solemn firs : Here, as, amid the glimm'ring brakes, I tread the gloomy ground, Imagination startling wakes, And fancy hovers round. ' ^-ham-Castle, on Claverton-Dowi 98 Shine on, ye wand'ring stars of night ; No noisy feet intrude ; Dear is to me your ghostly light, And dear your solitude ! Soft peeps the moon, that yonder gleams Amidst the slumb'ring trees ; Yet more your little placid beams My pensive musings please. To touch the living lamp I'll try, Its curiousness survey ; Lo ! as I steal the insect nigh, Its lustre glides away. Again the tiny creature burns ; Bright glows the moving spark But as the stranger towards it turns, Again it courts the dark. ! me, 'tis thus poor simple I Through life have been decoy'd : Joys keenly sought the swifter II \ , Nor are, when seiz'd, enjoy'd ! • , then, my soul ! seek bliss above ! The bliss that's all divine ; By faith, blest hope, and holy love, Lo ! God himself is thine ! 99 LINES ADDRESSED TO THE ROBIN. Ruby songster — warbling oft In thy fav'rite ivied tree ; When of happiness I think, I am led to think of thee ! Kind art thou, and in thy breast Gratitude delights to dwell ; If with heavy cares oppress'd, Thy soft notes my cares dispel ! Sports of youth, and pomps of life, Cannot charm mv soul like thee ; Spurning these — I boasting sing, Robin's bliss is bliss for me ! Artless thou in every act, Peaceful, gentle, harmless guest ; Leaving man, of thee I seek Truer joy and calmer rest ! Now the climate waxes cold, Quit the dreary scene without, Enter in and welcome feed, Tune thy throat and flit about. Naught to thee is all I hold, Save the crumbs around my floor , Wanting innocence, sweet bird, Possess'd of all — man still is poor. 100 LINES WRITTEN IN A FI END'S GARDEN Far from the bustling scenes of public life, Along the verdant walk I musing bend my way ; No greater bliss my placid mind desires, Nature's delights alone can please from day to day. Ye lowly trees that screen the blazing sun, Nor less at glimmering eve the pallid orb of night, Unwearied will I wander 'neath your shade, That courts the pensive muse, and aids the mental sight. Calmly I'll rest within yen hermit's shed, O'erlaid with downy moss, and ivy evergreen ; More dear to me than mansions of the great, Beset with varied woe, and fill'd with rankling spleen. What's fame but air ? what's wealth but vexing toil ? Yet wealth and fame, alas ! poor dying men pursue Then happy she, who formed these Eden groves, To meditate her end, and bid the world adieu .' LINES ON A PIOUS YOUNG LADY IN A DE- CLINE, SKETCHING THE RUINS OF THE CASTLE NEAR BATH. WHAT Bighl so striking cvM her mind amuse? What book mi teach, — .\ ." A SKETCH fen passant) OF CHRIST-CHURCH COLLEGE, OXFORD. With fixed eve view Wolsey's princely tow r. W hence the fam'd hell ;: tolls out the midnight hour ; With graceful wings outspread, augusl it stands, Whilst 't> high head the distanl \u\\ commands. ■ Great Tom 113 Lo ! in the centre of the spacious square, Stands the swift god, as mindful of his care ; * Eager he seems to wing his airy flight To the high throne of Jove's transcendent light : A fountain 'midst the circling basin plays, An emblem fit to mark his busy days ; For he, like time, was ever on the wing Some news from Jove for Greece or Troy to bring. Here o'er the arch the haughty Wolsey view, — False to his God, but to his King too true ! Tli' expressive statue leaves us not to find What great ideas centred in his mind ; His noble mien bespeaks no vulgar soul ; To all things equal, could he pride control ; Ambition doom'd him to that wretched end, That bade him groaning cry, " Were God my friend !' To thee, sweet charity, I'll ope my heart, And what my bosom pants to speak impart : If penitence, though late, his mournful mind attend, May not his soul on sorrow's wing ascend ? Oft when the moon, the pallid orb of night, Sheds o'er the arch'd cathedral ghostly light, Gladly 1 pause, the organ's notes to hear Roll richly swelling on mv ravish'd ear. Oft 'midst the cloister's sacred gloom I tread, In solemn thought, to meditate the dead. To scenes like these your minds, Collegians, bend, For know, the height of wisdom is — to mark the end ' • i. I inn I fearless brav'd the agonies of death !" 134 A MORNING RIDE NEAR BATH. Written in May. Ere yet the city's smoke obscures the morn, Joyous I rise, and mount my nimble steed. Now Odd-Down's steep by gentle winds I gain, And, backward gazing o'er the vales of Bath, Onwards I haste to Inchcombe's* rural dell. Its crescent woods resound with melody ; Delightful contrast to yon bustling town ! No pillar'd pile, nor long-extended streets, Nor spacious square, arrest the rider's eve : The man of nature heeds not these ; 'Tis yonder cots, yon rising mount, whose top The village church adorns, o'er peeping all. Down the sequester'd lane I lead my nag, And at each turn some pleasing object gain : Here aged oaks extend ; and here a brook Murmurs unseen, save where the ivied arch Conducts it 'neath the path that through green meads (Now richly scented with the scatter'd hay), Orchard and copse, winds up to Newton's bill Edg'd round with firs, and grac'd by Langton There, rising from the vale, the farmer's bouse, With spacious front appears; on either side Large swelling ricks of corn and hay stand rang'd, — The sweet reward of prudent industry I * So pronounced. 135 Beneath its lofty elms the straw-yard tribe Gambol ; the busy hen and sprightly cock ; The chattering duck swims round the oozy pond I 'mud of its num'rous train ; the grunting swim Toss up the new-laid chaff in search of grain ; The swift-wing'd pigeons circle round their home And cows, with udders stretch'd, await the hand. Onward I gently trot through circling lanes. Whose mossy banks the primrose gaily decks ; Not so the violet ; itself conceal'd, 'Tis known but by the rich and fragrant smell. Thus many a village swain and village lass Adorn unseen, unknown, their country : Witness, ye " Friendly Annals of the Poor." * Now o'er the high and level down I urge My willing steed, and breathe a heav'nly air : Yon wide and distant scene attracts me not ; Lost 'midst the skies, it needs the magic glass. Give me the landscape that decoys the sight, And by its varied charms absorbs the mind. Where Midford Castle rears its Gothic head Eager I turn. Hail, thou embattled pile ! And hail, ye secret vales of lowest depth ! Whose woody steeps of rich inviting hue Echo around with all the dulcet notes Of linnet, thrush, and charming nightingale : Blest seat of peace, of harmony, and love ! * An excellent little work, by the Rev. Legli Richmond. 136 Scarce less delights the still sequester'd dale Of M( ntalt Mills, whose wide and lofty wheel, Revolving slow, throws from its ample arch The crystal stream down to the glass v pool, Reflecting bright the soft Elysian scene. Long could I wander in these fond retreat.?. But time admits not ; time demands me home. ON THE FEMALE AUTOMATON. What lovely figure of the fair Sits smiling in her cushion'd chair ? Sure in her features may be seen The lustred graces of a Queen ! With roseate cheek and ringlet hair, She lures — her manners debonair ! With gentle throb her bosom hea 1 In pity or in love — she breathes ! With kindness moves her placid t Each turn of face shews ecstacy ! The pretty fingers of eac] The varied notes with e Nor less the pressure of he When richer tones the ear Thus deck'd without, thus good within, Who would not wi And grieve to think, •■ ! iil I'iiui Bhe'fi a mere — Aul d ! lint here the show proves double meril Yet what she Beems- -rnaj all inherit ' 137 \N EVENING WALK TO KELSTON ROUND HILL, llv AGNES and GEORGOS. A PASTORAL SONG. WRITTEN IN JUNE. Geo. Nature's works a calm impart, Blissful to the virtuous heart ; Smiling Agnes, now we'll rove Where yon stream * glides near the grove. Agnes. Kelston's cone we'll next ascend (You to me an arm will lend) ; Much I wish to mount its head ; Much the thymy turf to tread : Musing there, around we'll trace Wide creation's winning face. Geo. 1, my love, for you will bring Water from the crystal spring, And with you will fondly share Labour's simple cottage fare. Agnes. See yon flower's beauteous head Rising from its mossy bed : Oft I've paus'd, and mark'd it well ; Tis the primrose of the dell. * The Avon. 13S Geo. Other blossoms here invite, Yielding each a new delight : Oh, what pleasing fragrance dwells In the cowslip's scarlet cells ! These, with slender thread girt round, Oft an infant's sport I've found. Who like children can be gay ? Halcyon season ! halcyon play ! Agnes. See the nightshade's tempting red, By the dewy dampness fed ; Ah ! my matron oft would say, Secret death did in it lav. E'er since this I dread the sight, Though it looks as coral bright. Geo. Now we'll pierce the shady grove, Where the birds sing all of love : There the nut-brown squirrel see Nimbly frisk from tree to tree ; Oft its long and bushy tail 'Twill convert into a sail ; Then on wood, as in a boat, 'Cross the stream 'twill fearless float. Agnes. Ah ! through yonder glimmering Light, krlston's hill breaks on my sight : On its green inviting breast Peaceful flocks securely rest. 139 Geo. Lo ! some rural steps I've found, Which the pine-topp'd hill wind round. Forward lean each foot and hand, 'Till the summit we command. Agnes. Now we'll rest our toiling feet On this soft and grassy seat, And with minds enraptur'd eye Boundless prospects — houndless sky ! Geo. 'Neath the woodv vales below, Like as brooks the rivers flow ; Dwindled to a fisher's boat, See the barges slowly float. From these high and airy spots, Seats of grandeur * seem but cots ; And the distant objects pass, Seen as through th' inverted glass : So exalted spirits scan All the wealth and pomps of man ! Agnes. Ah ! in holy Agur's sense, All we need is competence ; Blest with this, we seek no more, And the Louo of life adore ! Geo. Hark ! yon Abbey's well-tun'd bells To the ear a wedding tells : * Langton's, and Sir J. Hawkins's. 140 Swiftly glides each downward sound, Spreading nuptial mirth around, Short's the time of bliss below ! Soon will toll the note of woe ! * Agnes. There the tawny gipsies rest In their crowded smoky nest ; Fearing none, they none obey ; Idly pass their days away. Geo. Happy are yon rural swains, Ploughing up the fertile plains ! Singing in the open air, Father Health leans on the share ; And his boy Contentment guides, Trudging by the horses' sides. Agnes. Trace we now, with eager eye, Alpine Wales ascending high : Wrapt in yon ethereal blue, More like heav'n than earth's the x'wv Thousand trees of varied green Deck the rich and circling scene ; See each dome, each tap'ring spire, Beaming with celestial fire ; And yon crescents, glitt'ring bright, By the level rays of light. All ! the mild and cheering sun \i arly has its circuit run : * In the midst of life we are in death. 141 With the tulip's purple dye Soft it streaks the glowing sk\ Emhlem meet let all confess Of the sun of righteousness : Radiating all ahove, Lord of Light, and Life, and Love ! LINES WRITTEN IN NEWTON-PARK, NEAR BATH. Here, hermit-like, I love to stray, And with calm silence pass the day ; The busy world I bid adieu, Lost in the shady avenue. Come, gentle Nature, peaceful guest, Admit me to thy lonely rest : No noisy stranger's feet intrude ; Behold the friend of solitude ! I softly tread the green retreats, Or musing sit on moss-grown seats, While each sweet songster of the grow Now warbles forth in notes of love ! Here o'er the rustic bridge I lean, And view below my pensive mien ; The falling stream attracts mine eye. Mine ear its plaintive lullaby; While o'er mine head the spreading trees Wave softly to the welcome breeze ; 142 There snowy swans, with lofty neck, Thy crystal current nobly deck, And, op'ning wide their feather'd sail, Swim stately down the beauteous vale, Whose wooded sides proud oaks do climb, And sacred look through length of time : Thus hoary heads in virtue found A solemn glory shed around ! Ye princely pines, of chilling shade, Whose awful gloom no rays invade ; Thou aged tow'r, with ivy green, Where lonely echo dwells unseen ; I come, your deep recess to tread, Where all is silent as the dead ! In haunts like these the bard sublime, * Could wisely muse on death and time. — Again I catch the beams of light, And, lo ! the mansion bursts in sight, — Seat of him whom all commend As his country's faithful friend ! On rising lawn it graceful stands, And all the chequer'd view commands. Fam'd Newton's tower, fix'd on high ; Yon cluster'd beech, of purple dye ; And Kelston's bold aspiring wood, Begirt by winding Avon's flood, Beneath whose arch of rainbow stride The long-ribb'd barges swiftly glide ; * Young. 143 There crescents with the sunbeams smile, Seen hence as one grand kingly pile ; Yon conic mount, with firs long crown'd. Whose airy top light mists surround, A sure (so simple Shepherds say) Prognostic of a gloomy day ; And here, 'mid orchards green admire The rural Corston's modest spire : And ken o'er Salford's water'd vale The laden vessels slowly sail. Each lowly cot and grassy field To me a tranquil pleasure yield : Nature I lov'd in boyish days, And nature still I love to praise, And hail the bards who trae'd her charms * In all their grand and winning forms. Since scenes like these to me are given ; 'Tis all I hope for short of heav'n : Ye smiling prospects, ever new, A while, a little while, adieu ! ON A ROBIN KILLED IN A MOUSE-TRAP. Alas ! for me, for thee, poor Bob, To each unthought mishap ; Welcome wert thou that cheese to rob Fix'd in the fatal trap. * Cowper, Thomson, Goldsmith. 144 Ah ! not for thee that bait was meant, But slyly thieving mouse ; And for thy sake I sore relent 'Twas set e'en in my house. What thou did'st peck of mine's not wrong- Fond pity owns it right ; For thou did'st all repay with song At eve and morning's light. Not so the rogue I sought to kill, To kill in self-defence ; For self alone it used its skill, And gratified its sense. E'en human life such ills befall, (In thee the truth I paint,) The traps of law too oft enthral With sinners e'en the saint. WATCH YOUR WATCH.— For a Watch-i An ! tick by tick steals time along, The minutes speed the hours ; In twenty-four is flown the day, Ah ! day no longer ours ! Then tick by tick thy time redeem, Going — it goes for ever ; In every car thus speaks the watch, Be watchful now or never. 145 AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF ONE OF M\ COLLEGE SERVANTS' CHILDREN. Near Pembroke's walls, beneath a homely roof, There dwells of honest heart a College dame : Her life so pure, admits of no reproof, More worthy far than half that rise to fame. Two pretty girls, full pleasing in her eye, Sat by her side, and dress'd their painted doll ; She little dreamt of danger lurking nigh, And that the bell for her fond child should toll ! But, ah ! how short is all tcrrestial joy ! At best a hov'ring phantom of the mind ! Whene'er it nutters, 'tis but to decoy ; It flies our grasp, and leaves a pang behind ! One luckless night, when she to College went, To list the summons of the tinkling bell ; While on her wonted business she was bent, A sudden horror o'er her body fell ! Pale shiv'ring fear o'erpower'd all her frame ; The master's charge her trembling hands forego ; Straight to her home with heavy heart she came, There to behold a scene of speechless woe ! H 146 Shudd'ring she op'd the door, when doleful cries, ('Midst clouds of smoke) pierc'd thro' her frighten'd ear, Clasping her hands, with wild uplifted eyes, On heav'n she calls, o'erwhelm'd with deep despair ! Then from the floor was heard a gentle voice : " Weep not for me ; I feel hut little pain ; Stifled's the flame ; my parent dear, rejoice, And all your kind anxiety restrain." Fix'd for awhile, the mother silent stood, Lost in amazement at the sad event ; Then in her arms the wretched infant view'd, Faint with its fright, and with its anguish spent. Softly she laid it on the downy bed, And tried her ev'ry art to ease its pain ; But, ah ! (with me the tear of pity shed !) Mock'd was her skill, and all her watching vain ! The dying child then whisper' d forth a pray'r : " Take me, my God, if such thy blessed will, Or grant me strength my burning sores to bear ; He thou my succour, thou my refuge still ! ■• Now, parenl dear, and you my sister kind, Draw near my couch, give me the parting kiss; Worn out, 1 sink ; but be of cheerful mind ; I fly from torture to eternal bliss !" 147 The gracious Lord soon sent the wish'd release ; The infant, sighing, clos'd its wearied eyes; Then instant rose to Jesu's realms of peace, To sing hosannas in his blissful skies. Grieve not, O matron ! though your loss be great ; Though death has pluck'd the darling from your side ;'• An early grave is safer than a late, Less sin and sorrow infancy betide. But, oh ! vc nurses of the infant frame, By this be ivarnd, nor quit your offspring dear. Pause on the sorrows of my hopeless dame ! Her heartfelt sigh, her unavailing tear ! THE EGOTIST.— (A Running Philippic.) There is a thing — and strange to tell, It in the human mind doth dwell ; Tlio' non-existence oft it feigns, There — thrice endeared — the idol reigns ; And slyly judging its own cause, Strives hard to win the world's applause ! So cunning 'tis in woman — man — Tis difficult its depths to scan ! — Lo ! what to others — folly seems, Its owner as high wisdom deems ! His eye is bright as sun within. Yet things without — are view'd as — tin ! 148 Great worth in self it can descry, And none mnst dare this worth deny I Tho' weak as rushes — dry as straw, His look is strong — his word a law ! No matter when — or what — or why ; The love of praise doth deify ! No wit — is wit in such a glass ; To doubt this boast — betrays the ass ! — — In truth — I know not what to do, Since all I say is held untrue ! Tho' labour's lost to such an one, Others this ugly thing may shun ; For know — however pretty 'tis To self — it makes that self a quiz 1 Nay — some do deem a man half mad, Who boasts of goods he never had ; But here's the pity — such a state Seems wisdom sound to such a pate ! Who makes himself the only rule Of right and wrong — must stand a — fool !- Tho' to my subject proof is vain, And my reward is — proud disdain ; Yet humble minds, and lowly hearts Will thank me for these pointed darts ; And ever steadfastly resist That silly thing — an " Egotist !" 149 SELF-REFLECTION. — As with a sigh mv infancy began, VVitli dcep'ning sighs I reach' d the aged man ! Compar'd to this — methinks my natal birth, Tho' weak — tho' sad — was Paradise on earth ! Its fairy scenes as real bliss then seem'd, But life's rough progress prov'd I had but dream' d ! Each springing thought — an unthought end — perplex' d ; E'en in the search of peace — my mind was vex'd ! Ere long I felt the " Sage's cry" — all true ! * And found my task was doing to undo ! — Wisdom alas ! (the wisdom heav'n shall own,) Is to our fallen race a good unknown ! But when (enlighten'd by her rays divine,) I view'd man's nature — oh ! how evil mine ! — Thus as the stricken Saint — I fell dismay'd ! And for my spirit's health in fervor pray'd ! The things I thought my happiness to win, Now teem'd with darkness — all stood black through sin ! Methought the world pourtray'd an upper hell ! Where vice and woe — as ocean's billows — swell ! The tempting scenes of time no more decoy'd ; These gain'd or lost — all was an aching void ! — What more than bubble is all earthlv strife ? And worldly human schemes than death of life P Th' immortal soul must seek immortal food ; The living God alone her only good ! Attaining this — she's as the Angels blest ! Immanuel her all ! and centre of her rest ! * All is vanity. — Solomon, h 2 150 OLD AGE. " Remember now thy Creator — in the days of thy youth, be/ore the years draw nigh — when thou shalt say, ' I have no pleasure in them!' " — Solomon. — Long have I seen — and now begin to feel, Th' unthought-of piteous ills of hoary age ! Tho' slow — yet sure these miseries onward steal, And make progressive life one mournful page ! Alas 1 not now I frisk with spirits gay, Dull is my mind that once could freely soar ! O'er all my frame falls tremb'iing and decay ! And will — till flesh and blood can bear no more ! Tho' mark'd with pain were all my infant years. The babe in knowledge soon its state forgot ! But riper thoughts forebode o'erwhelming fears ? And hov'ring horrors cloud my final lot ! Around I see the youthful world — and sigh ! I see drear winter yield to summer's charnla : But these add grief to me who droop to die ! Alas ! my only view is — death's cold arms ! — Who that is born e'er dreams he's born to this ? Manhood still thinks — "Immortal is my wav !" Tis age alone betrays the fancied bliss, And points with shrivell'd hand — "life's dying day !' 151 LORD BYRON'S POETRY— PRAISED AND BLAMED. To lash the deeds — which erring mind has wrought, As thunder he the voice — as lightening — thought ! — Byron ! thy fame resounds from pole to pole ! But ah ! with comets' flights was wing'd thy fiery soul ! In fancy's charming dreams thou soar'st o'er all ; But from this airy height — how great thy fall ! T\\v frenzy strains survive to Saints' dismay, And hear — sad trophies to the judgment-day ! But yet thy spirit — Byron, mercy may forgive ! Where penitence is deep — she freely utters — " live !" ON THE WEEPING WILLOW. — I love thee Willow — hest of all thy kind ; Emblem of human life's sad downcast cares, Full well thou suit'st my thoughtful pensive mind, That bends with sorrows felt, and droops with fears !- Like thee — nor sun — nor sky however bright, M\ head can raise! it stoops by day — by night! Like thee I weep o'er life's perturb-ed stream ! Alas ! who jests on earth has but of bliss the dream !- The fool — with laughter lifteth up his voice; The wise — will scarcely with a smile rejoice ! 152 THE SAVED THIEF. " Remember me !" the cross-hung sinner cried ; — " My Paradise is thine" — his cross-hung Lord replied I — But wherefore this ? can good reward the thief ? Oh — yes! deep penitence arose from high helief ! — Me too remember ! Jesus is thy name ! To rescue wretched sinners, magnifies thy fame ! Children of wrath may win thy smiling face, And share the holy treasures of thy throne of grace ! Grant me with faith unfeign'd on thee to call ; In thee alone I trust ; be thou my all for all ! ON HEARING THE yEOLIAN HARP AT MY STUDY-WINDOW. — Thy soft and undulating sounds O wind I cherish — congenial to my mind ! — Here — rapt in thought — with thee I better scan The dark and shifting cares of wand'ring man ! — Thy sighing notes that float upon my ear, Give but the echo to a dying sphere ! — Thou seem'st with gentle sympathy — to moan O'er mortal things, and earth's abiding groan I * — Oli — welcome Zephyr ! whose zEolian lyre Tun'd to my soul doth pensive thoughts inspire ! Such thoughts befit this fickle — wretched scene ! And stamp with wisdom man's most solemn mien ! * "For we know that the whole Creation groancth," &c. See St. Paul to the Romans. 153 EULOGY— ON MY PIOUS AND DEAR AIM Ah — long may here ray tender Aunt remain, Witli holy rapture here adore her God! — Here ease the widow and the toiling swain, Who now well nigh their Pilgrimage have trod ! So when she rests within the silent earth, Where pride and folly startle to appear ! Tho' 'chance no gaudy stone points out her worth, The lowly poor will shed a grateful tear ! " Here" to their list'ning village shall they say, " Sleeps in calm peace the comfort of our age ; — Oft has she taught our ling'ring hearts to pray, And oft reliev'd us in our life's last stage ! •' Blest be the spot that holds her dear remains ! Let no rude hand the sacred mould annoy ! Releas'd at length from all her mortal pains, She's flown triumphant to eternal joy 1" ON AN AMIABLE YOUNG LADY, WITH A PRESENT OF COWPER'S POEMS. — Accept my much-lov'd girl these useful books, Which well become thv meek and modest looks ; Bright as " the dew-drop spang'ling on the thorn Religion's beams thy pious face adorn : h 3 154 The rose's blush, and lily's ivory white Deck thy soft mien and the fix'd eye delight ! Thy silken locks of lightest hazel brown Around thy neck in loveliest ringlets thrown ; Thy graceful arm — thv comely flowing vest — Instil fond rapture in th' admirers breast! — 'Tis goodness gives thy beamy eye its charms, Attracts the lover and his bosom warms ! Oh ! lovely fair — that shun'st the noise of day, And gladlv steal'st from " fashion's" life away, If ere to man thou yield'st thy virgin hand, Seek him alone whom truth and sense command i THE AGES OF LIFE COMPARED TO THE FOUR SEASONS. As the spring its charms unfolding, So my infant years began ; All earth's fairy scenes beholding With enchantment up to man I As the summer heats creation, So my prime of life shone hot ; Ardent hope beam'd o'er each station, And quite cloudless seem'd my lot! As the autumn mild and yellow, So pass on my rip'ning years ; More and more my thoughts grow mellow. And each hour serenely cheers I 155 As the winter cold and dreary, So old age brings on decay ! Sapless then — e'en life proves weary f And in darkness sets man's day ! But death's night shall lead a morrow Bright and endless as God's throne ! Lo ! rcdeem'd from sin and sorrow, Christ his ransom'd world will own ! MY NATIVE HOME! (A Song.) I have wing'd myself far — far away, And rich scenes of fam'd cities explor'd ; I have revell'd in circles all gay, And have tasted each pleasure ador'd ; But oh, fool that I was thus to roam I How I sigh'd for my dear native home ! With a tenfold delight I return'd To the cot of my infancy's birth ! For the further I wander'd I learn'd, The true place of my Eden on earth ! But oh, fool that I was then to roam ! How I sigh'd for my dear native home I Sure 'tis here — in my green little bounds, That each footstep leads on new delight f As a bee in its sweet daily rounds, Here — each object enraptures my sight I 156 But oh, fool that I was once to roam f How I sigh'd for my dear native home f In my hamlet of youthful repose, Merest trifles can yield me content ! And the joys which its friendships disclose, Never give me a wish to repent ! But oh, fool that I was hence to roam I How I sigh'd for my dear native home t Never more will I wing far away Nor rich scenes of fam'd cities explore I Never revel in circles all gay ! Nor taste pleasures which worldlings adore ! Lo 1 true wisdom forbids me to roam, Midst these charms of my dear native home I ON SOMETHING. So many subjects haunt my mind. To fix on one full hard 1 find ; Yet I my roving muse will bind On Something f With all the world a. fruitful theme, If not in truth yet sure in dream ; For more or less we all do scheme For Something ! 157 When doctors dose with many a pill ; Lawyers their parchments strive to fill, And parsons love to preach ; 'tis still For Something ! When men of learning write a hook ; When tradesmen trade (hy hook and crook,) And heggars whine ; they all do look For Something ! When helles and beaux parade the street ; When young and old in wedlock meet ; The former strut, the latter greet For Something ! Kings and Queens, and ev'ry Court, Nor less than those, the poorer sort, By pomps and splendour do import A Something ! Whence wars without, and jars within ? Whence oaths, and lies, and ev'ry sin That stalks the world ? these all begin For Something ! In ev'ry age, in ev'ery place, Poor human life is but a chase To seek for self ('neath masked face) A Something. Thus rich and mean, thus high and low. Hither run, and thither go, For love of money, pride, or shew, Or Something. 158 E'en I, in this fond hermitage, Am tickled with the self-same rage ! And seek a corner in your page For Something ! ! ON NOTHING! Full true it is — tho' passing strange, That man the world at large will range, And inward peace and rest exchange, For Nothing ! The miser mammon's wealth will grasp ; His beatific dreams will clasp ; Yet cries at length with dying gasp, I've Nothing ! The lcarn'd will covet learning's store, In hopes fame's breath wid self adore ! Yet down he sinks — and glory's store Proves Nothing ! Pull many men in life's great school, For love of honour strive to rule ; But what so low as proud crown'd fool ? Why Nothing I In things of time — in things of sense, The fair eye all their excellence ; Yet for their pains — their recompense Is Nothing ! 159 Since man was man — and earth was earth, All aim to better nature's birth, Yet e'en to death reap only dearth, A Nothing ! Each art of life is but the art T" obtain some-hcw — a happy heart ; Hut one and all this truth impart, "All's Nothing!!' THE RAINBOW. How I welcome yon Rainbow on high, That arches with beauty the ground ; O'er the cloudy tempestuous sky It spreads its effulgence around t — Yet not from itself is its hue So lovely — so various — so bright ; Tis yon sun — o'er its dark chilling dew, Educes such transport to sight ! Ah ! true emblem methinks in its shine, Of the splendour of poor human race ; Lo ! the rays of man's life are divine ! — All his glory the Saviour's face. 160 THE PURCHASE OF WEST INDIAN SLAVE PLANTATION SUGAR— BEWAILED. — Oh ! can it be — that British tongues should taste These sweets — of human life th' accursed waste ? What demons of the damn'd can worse assault The wretched Negroes — destitute of fault ? — Yet worse, that rulers of dear freedom's isle Should foster Christian hopes — ah ! only to beguile ! Why lingers still th' imperishable law Of justice ? shall lust fix cruel war, On friendless blacks ? their feet — their hands — Their minds torment and crush in iron bands ? Yet more forlorn — and well unpitied — he Who can — yet frees not — when himself is free ! — Ye feeling hearts who tyranny detest, Th' embitter d produce of the Indian- West Spurn from your home ; if pity thus befriend The driven Slaves — captivity may end ! Such hearts at least — this blessedness shall prove. (What mammon cannot yield,) " the smile of heaven'* love !" P.S. God be praised — this miserable traffic i6 at leny/li bought off ! il.l ON THE CLOSING SCENE OF THE REV C. WOLFE'S DEATH-BED. — Sister ! this eye — which scarce thy pitying Mien can view — now close for ever ! — self-closed The other sleeps ! Now may the peace I feel (The peace of God in Christ !) he yours — as mine ! Farewell ! — farewell ! — so spake the dying saint ; Then — with an heay'nly mind — droop'd into rest ! — Now is the hush of night ; awake my soul '. Lost be the world to thee ; — this life be death ! Eternitv is thine — not time — awake ! If heav'n 's above — live heav'nly below ! Clos'd be thine eye to earth ; wide ope to heav'n ' REFLECTION ON TINTERN ABBEY. — Here on the relic of this ancient pile I gaze — and gaze with ecstacy — with awe ! Twas Superstition in Religion's garb Uprais'd these lofty pillars strong in age ! These gothic arches heav'nly high ! o'er-clad With nature's green, 'midst ruins reign ! — Oh ! that the gospel of the Son of God Had here breath'd forth unfetter'd and unmaim'd ! Alas ! man's wisdom here long bore full sway — Long triumph' d o'er the mysteries divine ! But now once more the Sun of RighteouSE O'erpower> mental mists and monkish gloom : These all are vanish'd — as these fragments tell. Displaying yet their former grandeur great ! 162 VILLAGE LIFE CONTRASTED WITH VILLAGE SCENERY. The cities' ceaseless noise and vexing cares The tranquil mind unhinge — its peace destroy ! — In woods sequester'd dwells the gentle dove ! — Fondlv I thought and long — that rural life Some little rest could yield : content I sought, But found not ! — as Eden's self was Nature ! Whate'er coidd please the eye — the ear — I saw, I heard ; — valley, and hill, and winding stream ; The song of hirds — the cattle's low — or neigh, or bleat ; Content was here, and more than little rest ! Ah ! not for man ! he roves the world in vain ! His dream is pleasure — but his life is pain ! — I mus'd — when from the hamlet's spire soft sounds Float through the balmy air the notes of love I So distant Fancy tells, and hopes it true ! But lo! my near approach betrays the bliss I Within the holy porch loud tongues, and speech Uncouth — from reeling men — the mind confound ! — Far off I wander — where the peasant's cot Peeps through the orchard ruddy with its fruit; — I hail the inmates ; but my steps recoil ! Within was pictur'd — vice, ami filth, and woe! What rest for man? He roves the world in vain I His dream is pleasure — but his life is pain I 163 — With mind cast clown onward again I rove ; High up, a farm with harvest treasures deek'd Attracts my sight; large flocks stray'd o'er the fields. And stately teams plough' d up the fatten' d soil; — Lot how propitious for extending good ! A shepherd pass'd ; aged his look and wan ! Long for his master's wealth he toil'd ; hut now Neglected — he, midst thriving plenty — pin'd ! Nor pin'd alone ! by workhouse pittance fed, The pallid children droop to welcome death ! What rest for man ? He roves the world in vain ! His dream is pleasure — but his life is pain ! — A nut-hedge road with starry primrose banks Beguil'd my walk down to the village street, Adorn'd by simple flowers and ancient trees : — I paus'd to view ; when from a whiten'd shop A tatter'd dame crawl'd out — whose hard-earn'd mite Had dearly purchas'd poverty's sad needs ! With piteous mien she sought her wretched hut. Surveying there with sighs — her little all ! — I paus'd again ; and lo ! with bloated cheeks The farmer rode along with cool contempt ! What rest for man ? He roves the world in vain ! His dream is pleasun — but his life is pain! — Once more I strayed — and up the hazel wood Midway the valley's >lope — beside the church — The parson's house, 'midst evergreen's display 164 Stood forth, and smil'd o'er all the varied scene : — Stillness was here, — but stillness of the grave ! The guide of souls was fled — by huntsman's sports Bewitch'd! — yet now and then — some hireling Was sent to pray — to preach ; the few that heard, Heard all but gospel truths, nor wept — nor fear'd ! Lo ! as the pastor liv'd — so liv'd the flock ! What rest for man ? He roves the world in vain ! His dream is pleasure — but his life is pain ! — What sweets of nature here — what charms serene J Dear haunts of bliss — for all but human race ! Alas for man ! he makes an Eden waste ; A wilderness himself — bewild'ring all ! — Ye happy rooks that wing o'er cluster'd elms ; Ye leaf-screen'd songsters, warbling strains of love; Ye placid sheep and friskful lambs, on hills Of sunny light, 'midst vales of winning green ; — Creation's guileless guests — Adieu ! — Adieu ! Content is yours — and more than little rest I Ah ! not for man ! He roves the world in vain ! His dream is pleasure — but his life is pain ! DOMESTIC ANIMALS, GUIDES TO MORA), CONDUCT. — Too oft in vain we seek in human mind, Tin good innate that dwells in nature's kind ! — How oft docs learning mix with pompous pride! How oft the trades of life deception hide ! Each art — each science loses half its worth To evil thoughts and deeds hy giving birth ! Who mingles with the crowd and earthly great, With his own burden shares their erring fate ! Grief — anger — malice — envy — all combine To harass hearts that with the world entwine ! — So have I felt ! and by such ills oppress'd, More my domestic animals caress'd ! Yes ! in the creatures that my home surround, I — joy and kindness — goodness long have found ! — — Thee— -faithful dog — companion of my walk, Long entcrtain'd me with expressive talk ! Tho' weak through age ; too crippled more to move ; Strong in attachment and increasing love ! So great thy living worth — full well I know Thy dying throbs shall pierce my heart with woe ! — — Tis said — that holy John oft chas'd the dove ; True emblem of himself who — liv'd in love ! That exil'd Saint found with that bird his peace ! From human beings barr'd — seemed wish'd release ! And ve sweet doves — oft as your tender coo My willing ear shall soothe — my soul shall woo ! — — These gentle lambs by innocence's lure, Calm each rash thought, and lead to actions pure ! Who sport - — with ye — learns as yourselves to sport : Will with your zeal each other's welfare court! — — The hen ! — what eye with vacant mind can view ? Picture of fondness — fondness ever new ! Unwearied in her rounds — with joy she picks ; Each pleasant morsel for her downy chicks ; 166 For them she wanders, and for them she rests, Affection's pattern for maternal breasts ! — Go now — and search the human world ; dwells there Such winning- virtues ? yes — but ah — how rare ! What heart has he who roves to lame — to scare — The beauteous pheasant, and the harmless hare ? Not such ihy spirit — Cowper, bard of fame ! The weakest creature's aid — thy strongest aim ! — Creations friend — man's better friend must prove, His ev'ry thought and act — begin and end in love ! MORAL THOUGHTS ON VIEWING AN OLD FILE OF BILLS. — Here many debts I see on ancient file ; But these all duly paid — I look, and smile ; The things of mammon — mammon may defray ; But who the debts of earth — to heav'n can pay ? My myriad sins — long rcgister'd on high ! Justice divine proclaims ; " Discharge or die J" — Truly I die ! my only ease — despair ! For bankrupt — self can cancel nothing there ! But there's a mine great Lord ! at thy right hand, That can with in f rest — give thy due command ! Take there for wretched me — for all 1 owe ! And from that treasure — wealth on me bestow ! Thy on's blest truth — I joyfully believe! ■• "Kb hitter far to give — than to receive !" And thou in Him hast an eternal store, Kor which each runsom'd sold THY RICHES shall adork ! 1G7 MORAL REFLECTION ON A TOWER IN RUINS. Am ! time-struck tower — sad remnant of thy state! My spirit's mind disjointed and forlorn, Sees in thy fall the picture of its fate ! I view with terror, and I muse to mourn ! 'Tis all I can ! — and I will linger here All desolate as thou — of good bereft ! — Be woe my theme ! be melancholy dear ! Full well we suit — in hopeless ruin left ! Ah ! how unlike that image of the Lord Primeval innocence in Eden blest ! Adoring heav'n, and by heav'n ador'd, Temple of beauty pillared in rest ! Man may compact this long neglected heap, These massy fragments yet again uprear ; [Jut man sunk down can only sink to weep ! The wreck of passion and the slave of fear ! Oh ! dark despair — must thou for ever haunt ? And horrid death o'er prostrate nature reign ? Is hope wing'd off from sons of woe and want ? Is life from high besought on earth in vain? — Thus as I sigh'd amid the shaken pile, Its broken arches, and the mould'ring stone ; Hope hover'd round with a celestial smile, And pointed up to Christ's eternal throne ! 168 Thither with ardent eye I gaz'd — and felt A thrilling joy — a heart-enraptur'd peace ! As one inspir'd in prayer and praise I knelt ; I fac'd despair — and gain'd from death release ! — Yes — yet once more shall fallen man arise ; Once more in beauty and in vigour shine ! — His frame rebuilt the palace of the skies ! His soul renew'd, and fix'd by grace divine ! THE REVIVING SUN— A REFLECTION. As o'er chill winter's lifeless scenes I gaz'd With mind envelop'd in a kindred shroud ; Sudden — earth's radiant orb with splendour blaz'd Beaming bright glory o'er each threat'ning cloud ! The hills — the vales, in hcav'nly lustre shone, And nature-waking smiles of warmth cxprcst ; Sudden — my gloomy doubts and fears were gone, "And glowing sunshine settled on my breast !" Oh ! if such joy to earth's desponding face This luminary orb around can shed; What raptures BhaU not Christ's effulgent grace From light divine pour on the Christian's head ! L-69 Pilgrims of Sion ! tho' sad griefs oppress, As on ye tread life's rough and desert way Exult in soul, and happy hope caress, Your night declines — fast dawns eternal day With steadfast faith — with heart of holy love, Foresee the riches of your promised rest ! Foretaste the raptures of the saints above ! And touch in spirit God's exalted Blest ! THE DAISY. Can, little flower of the fields, Can ought in thee delight ? No fragrant smell thy bosom yields, No splendid looks invite : Yes — since in thee a poet sees What man, if good, should prize, Can modesty and meekness please ? On thee he bends his eyes : Thou wear'st no gaudy dress of head, Nor lofty neck of pride ; Nor seek'st thyself abroad to spread, But rather humbly hide : Yet thou, though nurtur'd by the ground, Stoop'st not to earthly things ; To Sol thou look'st, and turn'st around. As round the sky he wings ; i 170 Fled downward he — thou droop'st as dead, Shrinking from sable night ; His rays alone can lift thy head, Thou liv'st but in his light : And thus like thee the saint decays, When mental glooms oppress ! Like thee he mourns the absent rays Of Christ — his " Sun of Righteousness." THE DOVE COMPARED WITH HUMAN NA- TURE. Happy — happy — happy bird, Emblem of the Lord above ; For thy tenderness preferr'd To paint his peace — to point his love : Sure where'er thou wing'st thy way, Thou dost waft thy gentle coo, And throughout the blissful day Warmly doth thy bosom woo. Thine's a life unknown to man, Life of meekness — kindness — joy ; — Grief and care fill up bis spaa ; Vice and woe his calm destroy f 171 From an heart to evil bent, Whither — whither can lie flee ? 1 1 iiraan breast wants thy content, Wants thy guileless liberty ! Yet e'en man too once could boast Of a peace and love like thine ; Losing these himself he lost, .\nd his race in sorrow pine ! Shall he thus for ever fall ? Thus in ruin ever lie ? No ; for him an heav'nly call, Lifts his hope — himself on high ! Noah's dove the branch shall bring, Token of all peaceful good ; And like her — with outspread wing, Heav'n's * warmth — o'er man shall brood ! Soon the Saints shall upward flee, Flee on pinions clad in gold ! There in sacred majesty, All their beauteous plumes unfold ! ' Heaven's warmth, i. e. God's Spirit. 172 DANIEL'S SAFETY IN THE LION'S DEN. — Calm and serene the holy Daniel lies, Deep in the den of death ! — The hungry lions rest with closing eyes. And tranquilizing breath ! — Anon — the Seer the awful silence broke, And sung his Maker's praise ; — The mighty beasts as aw'd within — awoke. And gave a placid gaze ! — Fearless — the Prophet by the moonlight gleam Travers'd the hollow cave ; — The shaggy brutes as docile lambkins seem And range as if to save ! — When lo ! the Angel of the Lord glid by, And shed a glory round ! — — Sudden — the Prophet heard a piercing cry, Cry of his king renown'd ! " Oh ! Daniel — Daniel ! dost thou live to hear ? Speak — by the mighty God !" — *' Yes — blest Darius ! — without hurt or fear, The lion's den I've trod ! " Ho — whom I sought with steadfast heart t' obey, Scut liis bright Angel down ! That living God — by whom the king bean en 'i And wears the Persian crown !" 173 REFLECTIONS ON A WORM a — I do weep, poor worm — yet not for thee ! Tho' dull thy lot — a duller waits poor me ! Alas ! for man — for man with reason blest, To sink for thee ! to he thy food — thy rest ! Oh ! thought abhorr'd — e'en to a worm abhorr'd ! His doom tho' thine — yet thou art doom'd his Lord ! Ah ! wherefore thus ! — nor him — nor thee alone To dust return — 'tis all creation's own ! Tis their's — 'tis thine — 'tis his ! and all his crime ! Curs'd in his curse through all the world's time ! — Well may I weep poor worm — yea — weep for thee ! Thou — without sin yet feel'st man's misery ! Thou too art flesh — and flesh must all decay ; Decaying this — thy life is pass'd away ! — But man tho' mortal in his fleeting breath, Breathes not to live — high paramount o'er death ! — He lives — he dies — yet whilst to thee a prey, His Spirit soars to its eternal day I Oh ! change mysterious — awful and sublime ! Alike unknown itself — its state — its clime ! THE BASILISK OR COCATRICE SERPENT SEIZING ITS PREY. Thou type of Satan, and of Satan's curse, Thy guileful eye with evil beam allures, -Casting a fatal charm ! as one entranc'd i 2 174 I gaze — at once attracted and repell'd ! Sinless art thou — yet in thy nature craft, As open yet conceal' d — sits brooding death ! Daring — yet sly — within thy secret folds Thou lurk'st — to win — the better win — thy prey ! — Unhappy bird ! whose eye of innocence Glanc'd on thy glance — bewitching woe ! It would — but cannot flee ! fetter'd it falls ! — — So fell blest Eve ! entangled in the web Of fair yet foul deceit ! — mysterious fall ! — Oh ! woman — man — beware ! look not to live ! If death's the type — behold, the Ante-type's — twice death ! THE THREE SAINTS IN THE FIERY FURNACE '. — What time the sacred music blew — or soft or loud Around the idol's bands the eager thousands crowd ; Lo ! as a mighty tow'r — up rose the golden God I — Prostrate the nations fall, and pay th' obsequious nod - — The humble youths there stood with cold and idle gaze ; And dar'd their monarch's threat, his sev'n-fold fierj blaze ! Whereat the haughty king with wild Hyena's spiti Urg'd the command ; — undaunted they beheld thai light !— Headlong cast down the burning gulf — they walk a1 case ! Their foes the rushing flames devour ; — to them a breeze '. 175 Kor lo ! a form divine — nor less than Son of God ! Rebuk'd the burning heat — whereon for them he trod ! — Him — Him — his ardent Saints in three-fold paeans laud, Shouting triumphant praise o'er heathen Gods ab- horr'd ! — — Amazement seiz'd the king ! chang'd to a gentle dove The fearless youths he courts with fear and awful love ! With trembling heart that Lord who erst he dar'd blaspheme, Above all idol Gods — he owns the " Great Supreme !" THE DANCING GNATS. Yes ! I admire these busy Gnats, That congregate at eve ; And would for such a dance as theirs. The rooms of fashion leave ! Assemblies here I view with smiles Exert their little strength ! But theirs — however grand or ga\ Is "folly at full length !" — Skip up and down ye gladsome things, Amidst the balmy air ! Well may ye sport as feathers lighl Unburden'd of all care ! 176 Tho' man may deem your frolics mea;> And pass with scornful eye ! What's rash in him — in ye is tvise f " Be merry ere we die !" Alas ! for him ! his dance of life Proves all the dance of death ! In sorrow — trouble — strife and pain,. He draws each moment's breath ! If ills ye feel unknown to man, To him those ills ye owe ! — Compar'd to his sm-stricken soul What other ills are woe ? CONTENTMENT. How happy he who bends his mine To wisdom's gentle sway ; Who in contentment seeks to find The good of life's short day : No wand'ring wish for selfish gain Disturbs his calm repose ; His time to others pass'd in vain. In lucid current flows : He sees beneath the outward show Of every outward good, There lurks (unthought,) an inward v The greater the more woo'd ! i 77 Perplexing care and brooding fear That haunt the restless breast, Scarce enter on his smooth career, Scarce break his tranquil rest : He wisely weighs the fickle state Of sublunary things ; To few — not many ; small — not great, His happy spirit clings : His soul thus free from snares and strife, With sweet contentment lies ; And lightly felt the storms of life, Contentedly he dies ! REFLECTION ON THE HONEY-SUCKLE FLY As I stray'd at summer-eve's hour An insect fled quick to my sight ; In flying it paused at each flow'r, And seem'd to imbibe its delight. Thy name tho' unknown busv thing, Thy nature I view not in vain ; For ever and ever on wing, Thou seek'st thy life's bliss to attain : By gentle and elegant touch Thou lovest to gratify taste ; Not too deep — too long or too much ; — Thy rapture's increased by thy haste ! i 3 178 Thou aim'st by thy tongue's arrow'd tip.. To pierce — without piei-cing through ; From each honey-suckle — thy sip Is its pure and sweet trickling dew : Who boasts of a moralist's mind An insect like thee — cannot spurn ; Reflecting on thee — e'en mankind, This lesson of wisdom may learn ; ' The blossoms of time and of sense The lighter they feel and caress ; The more their rich fragrance dispense, And their virtues more lively impress ! Like thee then — may I, busy thing,* Seek the bliss of my life to obtain ; Since sought any way but on — wing, All pleasures of earth end in pain ! ON A DECAYED AGED TREE.— A REFLECTION With chilling — yet a pleasing dr. I gaze o'er thy time-shiver'd head, And wither'd moss-clad limbs ! This most interesting Fly or Moth is seldom seen al twice id the year, generally in August; the Author h;is i, been fortunate enough to secure one; its shape is flat — colour brown— and somewhat resembles the Rat when flj 179 e thy fate — and feci it mine ! And sinking thus in sorrow pine ! Dying a double death ! — Yes — but for me — for sinful me ! Thou hadst endured an Eden tree, Of lasting beauty — strength ! No winter's check to nature there ! But summer's rays and balmy air, And ever-blooming spring ! — — Oh ! sun of righteousness — arise ! And let thy mercy-beaming eyes, Thy heav'ns and earth renew ! Thy glories shall more glorious shine, Since all thy attributes combine Creation to Redeem ! Rescued from sin — from Satan — death — By an Almighty quick' ning breath, Thy Saints no more shall change ! Or change from bliss to bliss — through grace Attracted by their Saviour's face ! — Immanuel their life ! ISO THE PARENT AND CHILD, As I wander'd one morn in my walk, In hand with my dear rosy boy ; Whilst of flow'rs and shrubs he would talk T And posie his bosom in joy ; " My Papa" — said the youth, " do look here ;. What troops of vile weeds spread around t Yet so small they might thrive e'en a year, Before they would injure the ground !" — " So they may — or may not — I replied ; But sure if the season doth suit, Their nuisance will run far and wide ; So pull them all up by the root ! " And thus mind my sweet boy — (by the way,) Must ill weeds in life quick be clear'd ! For know — vice of itself springs each day ! But virtue — like plants — must be rear'd ' "That no evil their child domineers, Thy parents will strive all they can ; And that goodness may grow with his years And piety reign in the man !" 181 THE SKY-LARK. T listen with pleasure to notes That thrill on my ear from on high ; The bird that my pleasure promotes Is sun-soaring Lark of the sky : Its song is the song of fond love, And love is the seat of its rest ; It sings its sweet theme far above, And it vies with the joys of the blest ! — Thou warbler on wav'ring wing, I'll watch thy a-eridl flight ; Unbound by the charms e'en of spring, With thee would I vanish from sight ! — But again I view thee descend, And heaven forsake for the earth ; A treasure below thou hast kenn'd, Dear treasure of innocent birth ! 'Midst a world of briar and thorn, Say — where of true peace is the spot ? Oh ! bird — with poor man all's forlorn, He moans for thy heart-cheering lot ! To tell what he is — where he goes, Would change thy bright notes to sad sighs ! The height of his bliss are his woes ! And the good of his life — that he dies ! 182 — Yet listen sweet Lark to my notes ; " Hope smiles on lost man from on high. ! His spirit to rapture promotes, Whilst she points to his Lord in yon sky !" INTERIOR BEAUTY, THE SOUL OF EXTERIOR. Lucy, — I like thy spark Ting eye, Thy glossy — auburn hair ; And so I like this sunny sky. This mild and balmy air : I like thy cheek of rosy hue, Thy teeth as ivory white ; And so I like yon moon to view, — These splendid stars of night : [ like thy dress — thy walk — thy simp Thy ev'ry outward charm ; And so I like (and truth confess,) The prospects of my farm ! All these I like as well as thee, Yet thee I love still more ; How so ? — the mental eye doth se< Within — a richer store ! I like the lamb — the hen — the clo\c\ Nor less the busy bee ; The sympathies in them that dttOVl Concentred are in thei- 183 I like the scenes and things around. The works of nature — art ; But more I like (in thee 'tis found,) The virtues of the heart ! Such beavty lights thy outward frame, Such goodness warms thy breast, Methinks a Seraph e'en would aim, To seek in Lucy — Rest ! THE STARRY HEAVENS. With mind absorh'd — in wonder lost, I view the star-deck'd sky ; The boundless scene with pow'r attests Thy majesty — most high ! Oh ! theme immense — mysterious sight ! How simple — yet how grand ! Orb beyond orb — and each a world ! Yet number' d as the sand ! With speed invisible ye roll Your everlasting race ; Scarce seen by each (so far !) 'midst air's Unfathomable space ! What tho' to man the glow-worm's beam May cast an equal light ; These suns their pond'rous globes attract With rays of glory bright ! 184 Bum ye in vain, celestial fires ? In vain guide round the spheres ? Philosophy lays low the thought, And wisdom's plan reveres ! This lesson sure to earth ye tell, Whilst o'er the heav'ns ye shine ; " Silence is ours ; — be silence yours ! Behold ! the hand divine !" LINES On seeing a Woodman's Cottage and Garden in Ruin, through the Lord of the Manor. This Garden wild — this ruin'd Cot Beside the lonely vale, Was once a Woodman's peaceful lot, As speaks an ancient tale : With busy hand — with heart at ease, He rais'd the simple pile ; And girt around with fruitful tin i Enjoy'd it with a smile f The waste become a garden guy, Gave solitude a charm ; And he had hop'd to spend life's dfcj In his embower'd farm : 185 But ah ! the tyrant of the land Envied his little home ! And urg'd him hy his stern command. In distant climes to roam ! With pretty babes — and tender wife He launch'd — then sunk — at sea ; (Despoil'd of all the sweets of life, A welcome destiny ! — ) — I see the tyrant's mansion high ! I view his wide domain ! But not a farm or cot is nigh ! Nor rural lass or swain ! The idle fox — the timid hare May here protection find ; Here cattle range and birds of air ; All — all but — human — kind ! Long sunk within thy narrow grave, Unpitied by thine own ! Let justice now with truth engrave, Thy monumental stone : " Here lies the wretch whose worldly lot With fortune's gifts tho' crown'd ; Yet tore a Woodman from his Cot, And spurn'd him from his ground I" 186 ON NAPOLEON IN EXILE. With lightning's flash and vehemence of fire, Napoleon ! didst thou all earth invade ; And the terrific thunder of thine ire, Its mighty monarchs and their hosts dismay'd ! Scourge of the living God ! I heard with awe, The fall of nations, and the deaths of war ! A voice I heard ; "to thee — proud reed — 'tis giv'n, To hurl around the righteous bolts of heav'n !" That voice which gave the deluging command, Has chang'd to peace, and joy exults o'er woe ! The storm divine is pass'd — thy strengthen'd hand, Is wither'd — and thy lofty thoughts laid low ! What art thou now — Napoleon the great ? — Thv crowns dethron'd — the shadow of thy state ! — Yet from the vale of life — once more arise ! And win by faith — the glory of the skies ! The Christian's heart can bless the chast'ning rod, And wish the troubler of the world — at rest with God ! THE SUN-DIAL'S REMONSTRANCE. Oh — man — I'm fix'd an useless thing Unless in mind you view; And must a sad memento bring, If unesteem'd by you ! 187 In vain the sun shines down on me ; I mark — yet heed not — time ; My features wear your destiny ! Heed then your Dial's rhyme ! Look on — and mark by heav'n's light, Your shadow in my shade ! Here day by day to sense and sight, I preach that all must fade ! Your night is death and near at hand ! Your day is life — how short ! 'Tis now I urge my prompt command ; — By stealth of time be taught ! I stand — to shew you stand to fall ! And fall, no more to rise ! Hear now my loud tho' silent call, Ere darkness veils your eyes ! 'Tis yours to see — 'tis mine to tell (Deem not the truth — pretence !) " Each moment may to heav'n or hell, Wing your departure hence !" Your sun glides down — my shadow's length Pourtrays your hast'ning doom ! Your weakness triumphs over strength. And beckons to the tomb! Childhood and youth, and manly age Must each — must all descend ! — The world itself — of life the stage, Revolves to meet its end ! 188 REMINISCENCE; OR, INFANCY RECALLED. Ah ! dark's my prospect all before ! And lowering my sky ! My sun of life will rise no more ! The night of grief is nigh ! I'll turn me to my infant days ; Retrace my pleasures past ; Catch of fled joys some little rays, — Ah ! joys too bright to last ! Sure as a lambkin once I play'd O'er grassy mount and dale ; And cull'd the daisies as I stray'd, Lisping my artless tale ! No thought my hopeful heart perplex'd Of lurking care — or wealth ; Manhood by these, and age are vex'd ; — My all was sportful health ! Where'er I stepp'd what beamy charm- Would glisten on my view ! 1 dream'd not of life's sad alarms, That riper years pursue ! Clasp'd in a mother's arms — I felt The sweets of mutual kiss ! With rapture on her bosom dwelt, And brcuth'd a balmy bliss ! 189 Some pictur'd book — or painted toy, Begun" d my wond'ring mind ; Nor knows my heart a sense of joy, Like this — far left behind ! Ye peaceful nights — ye halcyon days — Now and for ever — fled ! I yet recall with feeling lays, And sympathizing head ! A wand'rer in a restless world, Too long — is life's short span ! I mourn — whilst thus by tempests hurl'd, The destiny of man ! Blest is the child whose spring of years Is all of life he knows ! Whose Spirit soars from brooding fears, And ling'ring age of woes ! A DREAM— TERRIFIC ! "Awake thou that sleepest." Scarce had soft sleep my weary eyelids clos'd, When fancy waking with her airy train, Fix'd on my inward sight a startling dream ! Oh ! dream terrific ! terrible to tell ! Yet what I tell I heard — I saw — I felt ! — M (thought a Spirit with the whirlwind wing'd, And furies in his face — rush'd bv — then turn'd 190 And turning smote as with a flaming sword ! — Appall'd I fell, and groan'd for death to end Horrors no tongue could speak ! Such pangs — Such visions ! visions not of earth — but hell ! Dying I liv'd ! nor death nor hell could kill ! In misery immortal ! So — by might Of spirit — with an eagle's flight I rose ! — 'Twas He ! — Him I beheld whom God in wrath, (Wrath righteous as severe,) hurl'd from the heights Of height — down to the deeps of depth ! — Satan ! 'Twas He ! no speech was heard — yet pow'r was felt ! Silent he stood — as Angels stand ! stand ! — lo drawn As by the whirlpools hidden force — I sped, — Ah ! whither sped ? — 'midst souls — distracted souls ! As stars their number ! each a world of woe ! — Nor night was here — nor day ! but horrid gloom ! A gloom more than the black of darkness sad ! Region of ruin and of wild dismay ! — Then with a spirit's voice (to mortal ear Unknown, and like ethereal thunder !) He without words — piere'd thro' the boundless waste, And shook his horrors on his deathless hosts ! — Like burning mountains belching flame and smoke, They glar'd ! and each to each poured down his wrath. As if to ease by change their fiery souls ! Fum'd with all devilish device and sin They rag'd — torturing and tortur'd with despair ! — Could mortal frame such Bights behold and live? E'en as a dream J sunk — so woke to life ! — Yet do I live? Know then my soul the worth of time! Flee now the wrath to come! tread now the path divine! 191 SONNET ON THE SUN. Well might th' untutor'd mind thy face adore, Thou godlike monarch of the boundless sky ! — Enthron'd in light — eclipsing mortal eye, Thou o'er creation's vault dost glory pour ! — Life-beaming orb — I love thy dazzling throne, And call the splendour of the world thine own ! — But thou, O sun ! art dull — art dark — art nought To him who spoke the word, and gave thee birth ! To him I bow ! and — with o'erwhelming thought, Whilst Angels musing stand — I — sink to earth ! — Bright emblem of that Sun of Righteousness above ! * Whilst gazing thus — I glow with rays of sacred love ! ON MRS. CECIL'S INTERESTING VIGNETTE IN HER MEMOIRS OF HER REVERED HUS- BAND. — I lov'd — to death I lov'd, and far beyond ! — Here as a dove I sit — silent — and mourn ! — Ye pretty babes — yet spar'd — ye cannot weep ! IV well ! yet in your look of innocence * "Ascended up far above all heavens, — that he might fill all things! St. Paul to the Ephesians. 192 Seems wonder stamp'd ! how more than seems in me ! Lost in keen thoughts — I downward gaze on one — My life ! — my all ! — unheeded now my tears, My woes — my broken heart ! there lifeless — cold, And fix'd in death, lies all my hope — my peace ! Oh ! sad — oh ! long farewell! — methinks I hear A voice — that gentle voice — speak from on High ! — " Bereaved wife ! unseen I see ! — Arise ! Where now my soul drinks light — let love ascend ! " — It shall ! — in Christ endear' d — so best endeared, I'll clasp thy spirit 'midst the saints enthron'd ! I lov'd — to death I lov'd — noiv far beyond — to Heav'n ! REFLECTION ON THE PRIMROSE BLOWN AT CHRISTMAS. Why so early — lowly Primrose, Whv so early rear thy head ? Winter yet howls all around us ! All around us Nature's dead ! Sure thy birth is out of season ; In this cold and gloomy sky ! Tho' thy stem should brave the weather, Sure thy blossom blows to die ! — So in life — hope quickly peeping Quickly droops her smiling mien ! \h ! throughout man's yearly springing Dark and chilling is the scene ! L93 > it there is an heav'nly Eden, Where the flowers ne'er decay ; Fed by dews of love and pity, In the beams of endless day ! — Happy Saints — now there transplanted By the hand of pow'r divine ! — Happy thou if grace has granted, Here to call their blessing thine ! THE WISH. Each man I fancy, has a wish, And e'en from youth to age ; The homely one for which I pant, I'll tell you in a page ! Tho' many things I have at heart, These many are but small ; A book — a friend — a cot — with health Lo ! these comprise them all ! A book, that shews the willing mind The fertile path to bliss ; That whatsoe'er my earthly lot, My end I may not miss ! A friend — to love me as I love ; To share each hope — each fear ; And when my head is hoary grown To hold me doubly dear ! K 194 A garden'd cot 'midst nature's smiles, Midst hills — midst vales and brooks ; Where as I wander I may muse Her ever varied looks ! And health — (t' enjoy the peaceful spot,) — That sunshine of my day ! — Lo ! bless-ed thus — no more I wish, 'Till life glides soft away ! SWEEP! SWEEP! — And art thou, sooty stranger, come ? Ere yet the dawn of day ? Thus early left thy cheerless home, Midst cold and wet to stray ? No food since first thine eyelids woke, To give thee strength within ? Nor raiment — (save thy tatter'd cloak,) To screen thy sable skin ? Is this thy lot — thy daily lot, Poor little chimney-sweep ? Forgetting none — by all forgot! And left alone to weep ? Thy feeble eyes — thy crippled frame I'll pity as I can ; And rescue thy despis-ed name Whilst here thy worth I scan : 195 I give thee thanks -with feeling heart. And prize thy climhing stealth ; To thee I owe (no useless art !) My safety and my health ! However dark thy way below, Tis light— all light— above ! Thy passage tho' beset with woe, Shall end in heaven's love ! THE IDLE BOY ; OR, SPOILED CHILD. — What ails this child 'tis hard to tell ; Tho' never ill — he's never well, Unhappy is his day ! What tho' he rise with bird of morn, He more than seems — he is forlorn, Nor cares for book or play ! He saunters here — he speedeth there — And like a feather in the air, Alights again to move ! It is not that — it is not this, Can satisfy or yield him bliss, All things a burden prove ! Full joyless is his native home ; From weary self he seeks to roam, Where'er he comes — a pest ! Truly — he knows not what to do, Or doing — can no end pursue, Toiling in vain for rest ! 196 — So wastes he each new tedious dav, In busy nothings — fruitless play, His only peace the night f And tho' he rise with bird of mora, He rises restless and forlorn ! Befool'd by false delight ! Ah ! hapless boy ; I blame thee not ; Thy parents soft must bear the blot, Who gave thy will its course ! This timely check'd — thy nurtur'd mind Might so have wisely been inclin'd ; — — What now can save — but force ! ON SEEING THE PANORAMA OF HOLY-ROOD CHAPEL. * — Yes ; in thy gentle light — O moon — I love To breathe the pray'r of thoughts all fix'd above ! Here as thou glidest o'er these time-rent walls, The solemn scene past peaceful Saints recalls : The world forsook ere life's meridian sun, Here in the depth of night each sister nun Long mus'd on themes of high celestial worth, viul gladly fled the vanities of earth ! Here by the taper's glow — each fervent breast Sought in the cross of Christ the spirit's rest ! \nd here — where now these arched stones dcca\ , Will / tho' lust — tho' least — pursue their holy way! The above Lint - an supposed to bespoken by th< • Nun) introduced in the picture. 197 >\ VIEWING A MAP OF THE WORM- I love to muse the circling map, The world of poor mankind ; And from my little home of peace, Trace all with quiet mind : Ah ! happy were the human race, If travelling like me, Their motions were thus calm and smooth, O'er distant land and sea ! But oh ! methinks the varied scenes, That mark this earthly ball, Do paint with truth the varied ills, That nations round enthrall : Mere deserts check man's bold career, And frowning mountains daunt, Where eager hope had led his steps, There deadly dangers haunt ! The winds and waves that waft his bark To gain his wish'd-for coast ; Full oft beat back his airy joy, And dash his proudest boast ! But nature's perils still are small — What enemy like man ? ' lis are the ills that tear the globe, And shorten life's short span ! K 2 198 Speak not of hell ! his deeds on earth, All virtuous ends control ! * The furies of his breast burst forth, Raging from pole to pole ! — What little love and rest remains, To thee — blest Lord — we owe ! A world of good — how undeserv'd ! For Jesu's sake bestow ! So — only so — since so deprav'd ! Can Paradise return ; And hearts to thee — thus hard and cold, With Seraph's fervor burn ! " IN THE GARDEN A SEPULCHRE." St. John xix. No wonder the wilderness proves A region of horror and woe ! But sure the fenc'd garden and groves Are exempt from intrusion of foe ! So I said — I thought — but I found Creation all round is the same ! Forsaken or cultur'd tbe ground New crosses man's pleasure do maim ! Witness the accursed Slave Trade ! — Human wars ! 199 Tho' fruits and tho' flowers may grow , Delight spring from nature's sweet womb ; The bliss of each Eden below, With swiftness tends down to the tomb ! (Yet lo !) from the tomb life began ! The Saviour arose far above ! Thence open'd to sin banish'd man, The garden of rest and of love ! JESUS WEPT! OR LAZARUS REVIVED. Weepest blest Lord of life ? The maker for his creature weep ? — — Here — eas'd of toil and strife, Thy Lazarus in peace doth sleep ! — The ties of nature snapt By death — the living hearts bewail ! In inw r ard sorrow rapt, The tender sisters sigh their tale ! In fear and love they gaze On thee — (far more than mortal man !) Yet doubt thy pow'r to raise Their loss, — and lengthen out life's span ! — Thy nature from within, Did all their gloomy passions own ! Yet unbelief (from sin !) Impell'd thy Holy Spirit's " Groan !" * ' Jesus groaned twice; the second time — chiefly for their unbelief. 200 Oh ! grant each dying soul, The life divine — that never dies ! From evil's bonds — made whole, Man gains the " Freedom" of the skies ! THE ROOKERY. — I sing the Rookery ; — that ebon race, Can much the Poet please — who loves to trace, In nature's works the great Creator's plan, Varied in wisdom from the brute to man : — — Lo ! at th' approach of long'd-for genial spring The rooks with new delight expand the wing ; No longer grov'ling o'er the furrow'd plains Some secret bliss their fond attention gains ; The budding foliage of the stately grove, Recalls the season of their coup'ling love ; Oft in the hours of roost their wakeful caw -ounds the passion of creation's law ; And long ere Sol illumes the distant hills. The joyous feeling of bright hope instds ! — — Now with united voice — at once they ris< And each to each on eager pinion flies; Nor flies in vain ; unknown to them love's smart ( m high they pair, and with unerring dart ; — Alas! how rare the human breast pan prove, Tin ii three-fold bliss — peace — liberty and len — The joyous chase fulfil'd — the spreading tre< The] seeL — and in it- leaf-clad canop) 201 [Vine with unwearied bill the shelter'd nests ; There each with true return — warmth brooding — rests ! — So pass with mutual bliss succeeding days, Till the fledg'd young their tender pinions rail The parent birds now hov'ring round their home, Their progeny with ceaseless call to roam Entice ; thus urg'd — up from their nests they spring, Fearful yet ready on the buoyant wing : This feat perform'd — to greater lengths they soar, And to their beds of birth alight no more : — Than families of men — oh ! how more blest ; Their only cares — caressing and caress' d ! — Now at each dawn of day in groups they steer, And in their lengthen'd flight each other cheer ; For friendship courts the many — not the few. Friendship like theirs — not flattering but true ! — Where the sown wheat invites their searching eye, O'er the wide fields — a black'ning cloud — they fly ; Nor let the farmer frown : their theft's no loss, Since for the hidden grub the mould they toss, And, (what his implements attempt in vain), With delving beak destroy — their feast his gain ! Nor seldom thus — but each returning day These gnawing pests of earth they bear aw; — Now as mild ev'ning marks the closing scene, No more amid the fresh-ploughed lands they glean But as with one consent — in prating mood, Gaily ascend to reach their native wood ; And as the orb sinks blushing to the west, In one glad chorus more they droop to rest ; k 3 202 — Again the morning breaks ; but not again They stretch the wing to tread the airy plain ; A driving storm their straggling flights portend ! — With lightning's dart all to the vale descend, And, like autumnal leaves, o'er the green mead In troops alight ; nor there the tempest heed : But when the sun beams on a settled sky, In ranks compact they slowly sail on high : In harbingers as these e'en man may trace The coming rage or smiles of nature's face ; No idler he — who in her rural scenes The useful tokens of her footsteps gleans : — Oh ! ye who labour in the cause of sloth, And the sweet odours of the day-spring loathe, Curtain'd in vapours of your sickly breath, And e'en in youth courting the pains of death ! — With the keen gladness of these birds arise, And quaff health's pleasures 'neath creation's skies ! THE WREN. Say, why should not a Poet's pen Describe the actions of a wren ? For e'en the wren may teach ! Come gentle bird and tell me why Beneath a dark or pleasant sky, Thou always lookest gay ? 203 "With tail erect, and nimble wing, Summer and winter thou dost sing, So happy — is thy lot ! But wherefore thus I cannot tell, Unless within thy breast doth dwell The charms of peace and love ! With tender eye thou seek'st a tree To lodge thy hop'd-for family, Offspring of pure delight ! I view thee hop, and hop again, Yet cannot deem thy pastime vain, — Tis innocence in sport ! Thy quick-wing'd flights are so concise, Methinks an aviary would suffice, To yield thee heart's content ! Thou, little bird may'st teach e'en man (Whose days are shorter than a span !) To seek like thee — his good ! One thing I know — tho' far he flies, And by the world is counted wise ! He's far remov'd from bliss ! But thou — where ever thou dost roam, Dost still enjoy the sweets of home ! For thou thyself art blest ! 204 THE BLESSING OF SLEEP, — At length 'tis night ; and nature all around To silence hush'd ; — silent myself — I rest Stretch'd on the bed of ease ; — oh I welcome sleep. That to the weary frame of mortal man By death's dread image nurtures life for life ! — — My eyelids fall ; — each limb — to limb reclines In soft repose ; — myself no more — now sinks The listless head, — unconscious of its peace ! So calm — so smooth — my feelings droop unfelt ! — — Time steals along in blissful heedlessness ! And ere its hour is known — behold — 'tis dawn ! — Not as I sunk — I rise ; but with fresh youth I spring — to hail the beaming sun of day, And in its gladd'ning light — pursue my destin'd way ! EXTEMPORE LINES AFTER READING COWPER'S LETTERS. Such artless elegance — such truths divine — These sheets of friendship charmingly combine : Sure — if celestial Saints like man converse, They choose thy prose, oh Cowper, and thy verse ! i)tou£ iJagtoral.e. PHCERON AND DAMIA. Whither sweet maid — so fast at opening day ? For what bright youth do you those flowers convey Damia. Far other thoughts O stranger fill my head ; A mother drooping, and a father dead ! For her (fond parent !) I thus early rise, And ere return'd — perhaps, — alas ! she dies ! Phceron. Stay tender lass, ; those posies in your hand I'll gladly purchase — nor their price demand : Who little has, — his little freely gives; Retrace your steps — whilst yet your parent li \ Damia. Oh, feeling youth, thrice happy is my heart ! With haste your goodness I'll to her impart ; And since 'twill make her aged bosom glow, Relate my friend, from whom these bounties flow : 206 Phceron. Phoeron, sweet virgin, is the stranger's name ; "Alike unknown to fortune and to fame !" Yet if 'twill please thee — I'll thy steps attend, And she may welcome me — th' unlook'd-for friend : Damia. Yes — this yet more her sympathy will move, More deep impress her gratitude and love. Phceron. And hope fair daughter — this enliv'ning spring, May to her feeble limbs fresh vigour bring ; Tho' youth and manhood bend to hoary age, Warmth will befriend her lengthen'd pilgrimage : — Say — on what hill or dale her rural cot Is fix'd ; what hamlet gives her quiet lot ? Damia. See'st thou my friend, yon dwelling 'neath the wood ? There lingers yet my parent — ever good ! Ah ! spot endear'd ! tho' now with verdure clad ; Lost are your charms ! — to me a prospect sad ! — Phxron. Thou feeling maid — oh, check that heavy sigh ! Her virtuous soul would hail yon blissful sky '- — Thee only safe — no other wish she wafts ; — Thrice happy I — to shield from sorrow's shafts ! Oh ! could I win the prize ! thy heart impress ! These arms alike should guard thee and caress ! 207 Damia. Ne'er think tho' sad — my bosom's all unmov'd ; A tender heart — by tenderness is lov'd ! — But oh ! my parent, dearest of the dear ! Rereav'd of thee what other joys can cheer ! Phceron. No more — sweet maid ; but onward let us speed ; With thee — intent to ease her ev'ry need ! Nor doubt (if nought avail,) a blest release To heav'nly realms of piety and peace ! Damia. Ah ! Phoeron — yet again may I embrace Her aged limbs, and kiss her fondest face ! That ere she yields her last — her parting breath, Her smiles may beam on thee with me — in death ! — — So spake the virgin in affections tears ! — So sooth' d the youth her felt parental fears ! — — They came — they saw — embrae'd ! the wish'd-for kiss Her gladden d matron press'd — then fled to bliss ! And left her Damia happily to prove With faithful Phceron — true connubial love ! 208 HENRY AND EMMA. Henry. — Yes — ere the lark arise to greet the sun, To thee — with ready step — from ready heart I run ; My Emma — hail ! with thee this blissful day Shall shine around us with love's hopeful ray ! Emma. It shall ! my Henry's heart I glad caress ; There dwells the peace that outward treaures bless I To thee I owe the joys that nature gives. And oh ! the joy that nature long outlives ! Henry. With tears of love I tell that love divine Stamp'd on my soul is doubly stamp'd on thine ! Come then sweet virgin — and o'er bill and dale In peace we'll rove, and muse the heav'nly tale ; The varied scenes that lure th' enraptur'd eye Renew' d in beauty 'neath this glowing sky, Have secret charms to tranquillize the breast, \nd lead devotion to her Eden's rest ! Emma. So felt — so seen — creation's smiling face Gives double transport through the beama ol grace ! This — as yon sun's bright radiance from aboi Kmdlcs in Saints the light of life and love ! 209 Hi nr\j. Of love that loves the purer she may shine, To own those healing beams as all divine ! — I pluck the daisy — emblem of thy mien ; There smiles of Christian fruits — Humility the queen ! Emma. So may it prove ! but ah ! within I feel The heart vou cherish is the heart of steel ! Si i sigh we here ! but hope with lifted hand I liars up the soul to that celestial land, Where the sweet flow'rs in all perfection spring, Sunn'd in the glories of great Sion's king ! — Henry. II tarts knit below, and doubly knit above, Salute with kisses of unfading love ! And the fond union of our nuptial rest Types forth the sacred tie that joins the blest ! — Onward my Emma — where the winding stream Pursues its shaded course — pursue our theme : Emma. That theme paints transport on the scenes below Adoring Him — from whom their pleasures flow ! The pretty birds that sing in yonder grove, Sing in the melody of heaven's love ! Yes — as ye carol — wing'd from tree to tr< So holy souls pour forth their harmony '. 210 Henry. Blest are the thoughts that thus from earth distil The living strains that Sion's prospects fill ! With artless ease the pious mind can gaze O'er nature's face, and gather hymns of praise ; And thus from worldly things of transient time, Lead up to things eternal and sublime ! Emma. Sweet pass the hours where hearts can thus unite, And bring by faith — those joys unseen — to sight ! — But now my Henry — from the vale arise ; The downy hills invite our upward eyes : Henry. And there the fruitage of our basket's store, Shall pleasant prove — whilst we new views explore ; Our simple food will highest taste impart, E'en the rich flavour of a grateful heart ! 'Tis meet — 'tis right our feeling thanks to give To him — by whose kind hand we move — we live ! Emma. Oil — yes ! and with an eye that weeps for love I point the pattern of our Lord above ! What inward meekness and what true content ! In good — and blessing was each moment spent ! And here methinks, these happy little lambs (That sport around their fond and faithful dams,) A living picture yield of Canaan's bliss, Where love invites to kissing and to kiss ! 211 Henry. Thus as my Emma speaks — I feel my breast Heave with the glow of her, and heaven's rest ! — Yon orb's pure beams no feeble aid afford To paint the glories of our risen Lord ! Thy light — thy life — its ruling rays express Oh Son of God — our " Sun of Righteousness !" — — What rich — what winning prospects here unfold !- Each spot enrob'd with tints of burnish'd gold ! — — So pass'd the day — we now must cease to roam, And to yon plains descend for welcome home : Emma. And there in pleasing thoughts our walk retrace, The walk of nature, and the walk of grace ! Henry. Yet glistens o'er the trees thy hamlet's spire, Where soon our hearts unite love's holy fire ; The kiss I press — the kiss of truth shall prove, And morrow's dawn complete our hopeful love ! SOPHRON AND MATILDA. Sophron. The sun Matilda — lights your pleasing face ; Arise we now to run our daily race ; Early and late our tongues shall utter praise To him whose love beams round celestial rays 212 Matilda. Welcome my Sophron is thy call of dawn ; The night was soothing, — soothing is the morn ; The peaceful eve and op'ning day's sweet calm Befriend the mind for piety's blest balm ! Sophron. And let thy dulcet notes our babe surprise, The gladden'd ear soft wakes the gladd'ning eyes ; Babe of our hearts we kiss thy rosy cheek, And for thy Saviour's blessing warmly seek ! Matilda. Darling of hope, and born to Seraph's joy, Oh, may no ills seraphic hope destroy ! Sophron, to thee I turn with anxious eye ; What best its parent's fears can pacify ? Sophron. This fear of failure — love, shall wisdom hail ! Their omen's good who infancy bewail ! With minds congenial we'll pursue the theme, This sorrow's gloom guides up to heav'nly gleam ! And where more peaceful can we truth survey. Than 'midst th' endearing scenes of Summer's da Matilda. Let then our steps where fancy beckons, rov< By water'd vale — o'er hill — in shady grove: Our pretty child shall be our smiling guesl Shall clasp thy neck — or in my bosom rest! 213 Sophron. — Alas, that cry fortels me to begin ! Our infant's pangs bespeak its birtb in sin ! To view our Cherub's face — its placid air — Who could once doubt — all innocence is there ! Yet we — who once these dear impressions wore, Know that our hearts were tainted to the core ! Weep then we must — but with uprais-ed eye, For godly grief shall end without a sigh ! Matilda. Alas ! Alas ! — state how forlorn is this ! Full sure our woe ! uncertain of our bliss ! For say, what hope an evil world can give ; Scarce can I wish our offspring dear to live ! Sophron. — Yet humble trust this precious truth shall prove ; " The God of Justice is the God of love ! " — Methinks that smile upon our darling's far Seems as a token of redeeming grace ! Oh ! let not dark despair weigh down the soul ; He who permitted sin — can sin control ! Tho' chilling mists the heav'nly orb may screen, That orb illumes above with light serene ! Matilda. Thrice welcome news ! deduced from sacred page ! Reviving life from infancy to age ! 214 Tho' many doubts the mother's breast oppress, Our babe I kiss in hope — in hope caress ! Sophron. — Thou know'st the nuptial tie — the tie divine Pourtrays ; and faith tho' weak — conveys it thine ! Mercy almighty shall at length bear sway, Shall banish sin and sorrow far away ; Meanwhile — our ruin'd nature we bemoan, Heaving our ardent sighs at pity's throne ! Sighs bringing joy — the joy that springs from love — Glowing in transport for the hope above ! Matilda. He who so foster'd children of the womb, Will safely guide from cradle to the tomb ! — To him we'll look — on Him for all depend ; Jesus our refuge — our eternal friend ! — But tell me Sophron — 'neath this spreading beecb, Our child this saving knowledge how to teach ; How shall its little mind one ray receive ? How such mysterious tidings once believe ? Sophron. Believe ! — how easy this at mercy's call, Did not proud folly ev'ry heart enthral ! Acutest reason labours here in vain ! Hy faith to live — all must be born again ! — Arise my fair — and as we wine 1 the vale, Ucside the cooling stream — resume the tale ; 215 Matilda. Methinks these scenes e'en Angels might allure, For Paradise within stamps nature pure : E'en Eden stood a solitary place, When our lost parents fled their Maker's face ! Sophron. Ah ! Saints redeem'd — with guardian Angels rove, Rapt in the glories of Emmanuel's love ! And this fond bahe in holy good we'll nurse, A child of God — uplifted from the curse ! With solemn warn that all are born in sin, Must Christian training of the mind begin : Matilda. A warn thus sad — how grievous to impart ! The parent's lot — to wound their offspring's heart ! Oh — with what pity — must this task severe Be lisp'd with pray'r — to win the infant tear ! Dear babe — with playful mirth — (ah, little while !) Thy mother's anguish and thy own beguile ! Sophron. — Yet cheer thee love ; — tho' many throes we feel, 'Tis sure — if mercy wounds — she wounds to heal ! And know (the thought has charms !) 'tis heaven's waj That night of darkness should precede the day ! Once when the Sun of Righteousness shall rise, Light reigns o'er gloom — and joy o'erpowers sighs ! 216 Matilda. Again thy pious thoughts my mind illume ; My wintry fears decay ; as spring's fresh bloom My soul revives ; whate'er our lot below, Oh — may our hearts with Sion's prospects glow ! Sophron. — Vain is all else — and only those are wise Who seek with Christian zeal — the Christian prize ! For see — as eve now hurries off the day, Youth — infancy and age swift pass away ! 'Tis but a moment ere we wake to see The living truths of vast eternity ! Matilda. These for our babe — as for ourselves — we'll sue, And bid the follies of the world — Adieu ! THK END PRINTED 11V \. B. HINNS, CHEAP STREET, ' UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. i >.i L9 37m 8 '57 (C5424 1)444 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY I ACILITY llll I I AA 000 397 984 6 CO. or oo- CD' CD- CD- 00! 3 1158 00081 9341 CD" 00^ PR 3991 M3F2