tiiliiiii' iliiiii: mm 'wm iii-< tiiili^ THE VOTIVE WREATH. The Subscribers are respectfully requested to transmit their Subscriptions to Mrs. Parminter, No. 19, Earl Street, Blackfriars ; or (if the dis- tance be inconvenient) to leave them with Messrs. Hatchard and Son, Piccadilly ; or with Mr. BuLCocK, No. 163, Strand, who are empowered to give receipts. Price TEN SHILLINGS. THE VOTIVE WREATH, AND OTHER POEMS. By Mrs. PARMINTER. LONDON. Printed for the Authoress, AND SOLD BY J. BULCOCK, 163, STRAND; HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY; BOWDEHY AND KIRBY ; AND W. MARSH, OXFORD-STREET. 1826. PR DEDICATION. TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS AUGUSTA SOPHIA. Madam, With a feeling of the most lively grati- tude, chastened by those sentiments of profound deference, with which it is our duty to approach exalted Rank and Goodness, I offer to your Royal Highness the little Volume for which I pre- sumed to solicit the sanction of your illustrious Name and Patronage. Nothing but a consciousness of that Benevo- lence which so eminently distinguishes your Royal Highness could have emboldened me to ask so great a favour, in support of my humble and unpretending Work, without which it must 824047 DEDICATION. have failed ; and I now feel overwlielmed by the Condescension and Affability with which that favour has been granted. To attempt to eulogize a Princess whose Name has gone forth, with blessing, to the very ends of the Earth, would in me be as presump- tuous as it is unnecessary ; there are thousands who can feelingly attest a Goodness that is above praise. Endeared to an affectionate People, may your Royal Highness long continue a cherished Or- nament of this happy Land, and the illustrious House of Brunswick ; to which I humbly beg to subscribe myself a most dutiful and loyal sub- ject; and Your Royal Highness's devoted, and most grateful, humble servant, ANNE PARMINTER. APOLOGY. Struggling under the pressure of a sud- den and unexpected reverse of fortune, and im- pelled by the feelings of a wife, a mother, and a friend, I ventured to solicit patronage for this little volume ; and, in ushering it into the world, I cannot but feel most anxious for it's favourable reception, that my kind benefactors may not blush to see their respectable names prefixed to an unworthy work. Humble and unpretending, it makes it's appearance only as the genuine thoughts of the writer, rising spontaneously from local circum- stances at different periods of a chequered life. The story of Joseph I presumed to drama- tize for the recitation of a very young family APOLOGY. party, if that plea be admissible for the sim- plicity of its diction. 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Watkinson, Rev. R : ditto, 2 Copies. CONTENTS. Page. The Votive Wreath 1 On the Epicurean System 5 Be Merry and Wise 11 Friendship • 14 Impromptu 19 Joseph's Admonition 21 To the Mother's Hope 31 Reflections on the Close oe the Year 1792 . . 34 David 51 The Vanity of Worldly Pursuits 82 Retrospect at the Close of the Year 1814 . . 86 The Star of Albion 98 On the Frailty of Human Nature 108 On the Death of George III 109 Joseph Part I. 1 13 Joseph II. 123 Invocation 145 The Escape 147 Holidays 156 To my Husband 1 58 He is Risen ERRATA. Page line 29 16. for e'er read o'er. 66 14. for bedeck'd read Be deck'd. 70 8. for bastion read bastions. 77 16. for eminent read imminent 80 1. for chastisements read chastisement. 96 12. for shadow read shadows. 147 9. for sword read swords. 167 2 for had read has. THE VOTIVE WREATH. 'TwAS on a bleak and dreary day, When clouds obscured my devious way, When Winter's snow the earth o'erspread, And sorrow's gloom hung o'er my head , T wander'd through the wilderness. In painful thought, and deep distress : Pondering o'er days to memory dear ; And blotting out, with many a tear, The records of enjoyments past, Too dear — too precious long to last. How could I think they would endure, Where nought but change and death are sure? Was I to be the only one. Whom evil should not light upon ? B a THE VOJ'IVE WItEATH. Or was my eyry built so high, That every storm I miglit defy ? No, — ghding on in middle state, Not meanly low — nor proudly great, I hoped a steady course to steer ; I hoped — hut had not learnt to fear. I had not learnt that I must prove How soon are snapp'd the links of love : Now memory breathes in every sigh Some loss that wakens agony. As through the lonely path I stray 'd, And Nature's cheerless face survey'd ; I saw, from out it's wintry bed, A snow-drop rear it's modest head, The early harbinger of Spring, With promise brighter days to bring : Like those fair flowers of life's young morn Which blossom in it's early dawn, Ere chilling blasts have nipp'd their bloom, Ov Hope has wither'd in the tomb ; THE VOTIVE WREATH. 3 I pluck'd the bud, and vow'd to twine A Wreath, to place on Friendsliip's shrine, Of this first blossom of the year, Which seem'd the drooping heart to cheer. But 'twas a solitary flower Condemn'd to perish in an hour ; And not a shrub beside it grew. Save the dark shadowing baneful yew. Oh ! not from them the chaplet twine ! Weave it of amaranth divine : Unfading wreaths alone should wave O'er Friendship's altar — Friendship's grave. But I must wait a happier hour To gather that immortal Flower ; Celestial plant of heavenly birth, Too delicate for clay-cold earth. It flourishes in realms above, Water'd by Charity and Love. B 2 4 THE VOTIVE WREATH. For those bright reahnsj for those blest springs, My eager spirit plumes her wings : For worldly interest there shall cease ; And sever'd friends shall meet in peace : Yet, in my heart, the steady flame Of hallow'd friendship burns the same. As when, by sympathy inspired. Its generous glow my bosom fired ; And if Ijcncath ih' inclement sky All earth-born flowers must fade and die. Let me o'er Friendship's altar raise This A^)TivE Wreath of Grateful Lays. ON THE EPICUREAN SYSTEM. LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TO-MORROW WE DIE. 1 Corinth, xv. 32. Such Epicurus, votary of ease And worldly pleasure, thy erroneous faith. To future glory blind, thy dearest wish It's acme reach'd on earth ; and in the joys Of soft luxurious ease all good comprised : Perversion strange of that celestial gift Which gives to man — but little favour'd else, His blest pre-eminence in Nature's scale. But thine were days when error's gloomy night In intellectual darkness wrapt mankind ; Who, wandering on, in superstition's maze Bewilder'd, each a devious track pursued : And God, compassionate, M'ith pitying eye 6 OF TlIK EPK IIREAN SYSTEM. Jielu'ld those days forlorn : but now the light Ofhcaveii-dcsccndcd truth, it's radiant beams DiHUsing wide, enlightens happier times, And Heaven's eternal portals wide untold To Faith's uplifted eye eternal scenes : But who shall enter there? The pure in heart Mho fly those soul-ensnaring soft delights, And fix their hopes on high Yet live to live. And let us life enjoy, thy followers say, For thou hast followers still, whose earth bound souls Seek in this world, and seek in this alone, The sum of their desires — perfection high, An appetite indulged ! The joys of sense Are joys to them supreme; and Heaven in vain Invites to purer bliss beyond the skies. One truth they own perforce — the yawning grave Each day assurance gives — that all must die. No further they explore — their bounded view Is circumscribed by that cimmcrian vault OF THE EPICUREAN SYSTEM. Where their poor pamper'd bodies must return To their primeval dust. — But is this all ? Religion answers, " No." — Hear sons of ease, Daughters of pleasure, hear the charmer's voice, Than Syrens sweeter it enchants the soul. But lures not to destroy. Or hear that trump Whose blast the world's foundation shall uprend. And your embodied spirits from the grave Rouse to their final doom ; hear it betimes : (For hear you must) that, when the heavenly shout Shall burst your prison doors, you may come forth Awe-struck, but not dismay 'd. — Shall man, who bears The sacred impress (faded though it be) Of his Divhie Creator, mar that stamp Of excellence, and on his forehead wear The bestial mark conspicuous ? Will he yield His heavenly birth-right ; and contented share The common lot of brutes ? Then let him join His chosen herd ; Circean orgies keep, Quafl' the enchanted bowl, and be a brute, 8 OF THE EPICUREAN SYSTEM. And cat and drink, and wallow in the mire Of his intcnipei'ate lusts : or bask in ease Supine, and dose away his useless hours ; Satiety and loathing will succeed ; And those voluptuous pleasures, once so dear, Pall on his vapid taste. What follows then ? 'Tis then he feels, but feels alas too late, His soul was form'd for happiness refined ; But he has chosen dross : and unimproved His buried talent must be rendered up. Then rise his murder'd hours, like spectres dire, And all his coward soul is in alarm ; The past reproachful and the future fear'd, Abhorr'd annihilation — nature's dread — Becomes his wretched wish — his hope forlorn Or worse, if worse can be, the wretch has lived, Wiio tottering on life's verge hath only wish'd His health, his youth, his faculties renew'd, To live liis foul excesses o'er again. OF THE EPICUREAN SYSTEM. 9 Sons of eternity awake in time ! Rouse from your trance — from dreams lethargic rouse. Let active virtue animate your souls, And live to pleasures Angels may partake. Enjoy the luxury of doing good ; Wipe from the orphan's eye the falling tear ; And to your bosoms plead the widov/'s cause. Spare from your ample boards, and self deny To make the wretched wear the smile of joy. Blest is the heart that feels another's woe : 'Tis privileged to ask a boon from Heaven. Though circumscribed the sphere, 'twill scope afford For various offices of Christian love. The chequer'd scenes of Ufe's uncertain day Unfold with many an ill : — chill Penury And pining Want, Shame, Sickness, and Disgrace, Griefs multiform arise, and loudly call For soft humanity's assisting power, And kind commiseration's pitying sigh. 10 OF THE EI'ICLJREAN SYSTEM. Go then, ye Epicures, and taste a feast SurjKissing all Lucullus e'er enjoy'd. lint if ye live to selfish joys alone, If your unpitying eyes can view distress, Or if your ears be deaf to misery's plaint, If your closed hand withhold the bounty claini'd- Or pity live not in your callous breast, Go, — and buoyed up with perishable hope Of non-existence when this life shall cease, — Take comfort in the vain delusive thought To-morrow we eternally expire. BE MERRY AND WISE. ADDRESSED TO MARY JANE. To laugh is youth's prerogative : The heart is not aware A serious hour must soon arrive When mirth shall yield to care. Youth is the season made for joy. While to the future blind : And chasten'd mirth can never cloy, Nor leave a sting behind. Laugh then and still enjoy each hour; Each guiltless hour that flies. No gloom should on youth's aspect low'r, No sadness dim it's eyes. BE xMERKY AND WISE. But yet thy mirth let reason guide, Loud laugliter gives offence : 'Tis folly's mark, and ne'er allied To modesty or sense. The heart itself should feel the thought That dimples o'er the cheeks ; And boisterous mirth with folly fraught But empty sound bespeaks. Watch well thy thoughts lest wit profane Win an approving smile. Nor dare to laugh at wit obscene, AVhich taints the mind with guile. Set a strict guard upon thy lip ; Nor every weed devour : Of the pure honey freely sip ; But shun the poisonous flower. BE MERRY AND WISE. 13 And still may radiant smiles adorn Thy laughter-loving cheek : Those smiles which gild thy life's fair morn, And golden days bespeak. FRIENDSHIP. WRITTEJ* AT THE REQUEST OF A YOUNG LADV. I HEARD a voice (or was't a dream) Say " Write,"— Let Friendship be the theme. Obedient I tlie task pursue, And dedicate tlie verse to you : Amply repaid, if you afford Your friendship as the rich reward. But O ! what Muse shall me inspire, Or touch me with poetic fire ? No heathen maid of Helicon, Nor e'en Latona's worshipp'd son, Shall tune for me the golden lyre : I to a higher source aspire. Spirit of Friendship ! by whose aid FRIENDSHIP. 15 Mankind for mutual help were made, Do thou invigorate my song ; And animate my feeble tongue. Inspired by thee no idle strain Nor wanton, shall the theme profane. But what is Friendship ? You can tell Who taste it's joys — who feel it's spell, And bless the gentle soft controul Which binds it's tendrils round the soul; And you whom worldlings have forgot Can tell, alas ! what it is not. 'Tis not that ill-compacted band Which breaks at once (like rope of sand) If pride or peevish discontent Some fancied negligence resent. 'Tis not that table-love which sends The generous board a host of friends. 16 FRIENDSHIl'. Who turn with fortune's shifting gale, And only with tlie prosperous sail. 'Tis not that boasting vain display, Th' ephemeral fondness of a day. Which flutters in the morning sun, But dies 'ere half it's course be run : Nor found where Mammon's demons reign : Nor in the Bacchanalian train. 'Tis not that base or sordid league Which interest forms, or vile intrigue. Nor yet that mask which hides a heart Too prone to act a traitor's part. What then is Friendship? 'Tis a name ! 'Tis more. — It is a hallow d flame Which emanates from Heaven above. The source of universal love. 'Twas Fi'iendship's charm which gave a zest To all that Paradise possess'd : FRIENDSHIP. 17 For God and man in friendship join'd, The joys of heaven and earth combined: And when the fatal apple's taste That blissful covenant effaced, 'Twas Friendship drew the Godhead down To rescue and redeem his own. O what a proof to man was given, That Friendship is enthroned in heaven ! Charm of our lives ! first joy on earth ! 'Tis thence we trace thy sacred birth_, Then hear propitious, Power Divine, A humble votary at thy shrine : And in thy page my name enrol. And shed thy influence o'er my soul: And while I feel the virtuous fire, Grant that I may the glow inspire. But how shall Friendship's test be known ? How shall we claim her for our own ? 18 FRIENDSHir. Iler's is the kind encircling arm When dangers friglit, or fears alarm : Iler's is the sympathetic eye: Iler's the responsive heart-drawn sigh : 'Tis seen upon her glowing cheeks Wlien joy's bright flush a welcome speaks; And in the radiance of a smile Breathed from a heart that knows no guile ; And marks the brow, where truth engraven Beams peace on earth, and hope in heaven ; These are her marks, and these to prove, Heart must meet heart with answering love. IMPROMPTU, On hearing the affecting allusion to his own EDUCATION, BY one of the Classical Masters OF Christ's Hospital, in his admirable Sermon FOR the Benefit of the Charity Children of the Ward of Aldersgate, 1817. If thou to Charity dost owe The source from which thy lessons flow, Let thousands bless her name : For wide extends the enriching stream, Reflecting in each sacred theme. Her heaven-directed aim. Oh may the Influence Divine, Which gave that glowing soul of thine It's heavenly way to trace. Indulgent hear a mother's prayer. And the dear objects of her care Inspire with quickening grace. c o 20 IMPROMPTU. Like thee they own a foster'd lot, In the same consecrated spot; And by thy precepts moved, May truth their earliest thoughts engage ; And on their life's fair title page, Their Angels write, " Approved *." Nor selfish be the parent's prayer : May all who Christian labours share A Christian's meed obtain : And thou, a secondary cause, In earth and heaven, the just applause Of men and Angels, gain. * At Christ's Hospital the Grecians inspect the books introduced among the Children, and none are allowed without their sanction, sig- nified by the word " Approved," written on tlie title page. JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. SEE THAT YE FALL NOT OUT BY THE WAY. GENESIS, xlv. V. 24. When Famine's rage had seven long years distrest, Egypt alone was with abundance blest. The warning visions were not given in vain ; And GOD's own flock partakes her hoarded grain. No longer Canaan's milk and honey flow ; Her sterile country wears a face of woe ; No gracious dews descend to bless her fields ; No strengthening food to fainting man she yields: With haggard aspect, and with anxious breast, He wanders forth to labour still unblest. The long enduring Sire of Israel's line, Obedient ever to the Will Divine, 22 JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. The wretched remnant of his Hfe to save. And his loved children rescue from the grave. To Egypt sends to buy suppHes of food, Nor dreams that Egypt holds a dearer good ; That there his keenest grief, his bosom woe. Should find relief, his tears forget to flow ; His son, so loved, so lost, so long deplored, Should to his aged bosom be restored. Joseph, the victim of unbridled hate. Through all the various turns of adverse fate, Had own'd the Heavenly Hand, and kiss'd the rod. Firm in his duty, faithful to his God. Through dungeon-gloom he saw Almighty Power, And patient, waited Mercy's promised hour. That hour arrives ; and he, supreme command And princely rule, maintains o'er Egypt's land ; For he had saved that land ; or rather He, Whose eye can penetrate futurity. Had sent him as a messenger of love, His ever watchful providence to prove. JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. 23 By mystic dreams admonish'd, he prepares To hoard the lavish wealth of fruitful years : That, when prolific Nature's womb should close, And the tired earth at length demand repose, Unfriendly clouds withhold their genial rains, And Nile forget to fertilize the plains, Egypt her ample stores may open wide The granary of all the world beside. Then Joseph, risen to exalted state. Sees Sun, and Moon, and Stars, attendant wait Obedient to his will ; and, bending low, The suppUant crowds like prostrate wheat-sheaves bow: And Goshen's fruitful land to Israel given Seals the prophetic ordinance of Heaven. In vain shall man oppose what God intends ; To His own purpose still He shapes his ends. Joseph, an exiled captive doom'd to roam. Torn from his father, driven from his home, 24 JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. Bends witli submission to liis varying lot; Friends, Brethren, Country, Father, all forgot. Thus years on years roll on, till Heaven ordains That they should meet again on Egypt's plains. He hears their tale — his father yet alive ! All nature's feelings in his heart revive ; A father's sacred name his bosom warms : He longs to clasp him in his duteous arms: His wrongs lie buried in his pious bi'east ; And all the son and brother stand confest. Joseph, blest type of life and love divine. In future ages pre-ordained to shine, How do thy wrongs each pitying heart engage 1 How thy mild virtues grace the sacred page ! But chief that God-like nobleness of soul Which every vengeful passion could controul. When in thy presence awed and troubled stood The brethren who had sought thy guiltless blood. Could hush their conscious terrors, calm their fears. And melt them in the tenderness of tears. JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. 25 Yet Joseph, though he pardon'd, knew too well How prone their rugged natures to rebel : And while with costly pi'esents he dismiss'd The astonish'd band — wept over them and kiss'd — Then, as the sacred chronicle records, In mild reproof he spake these parting words : — " I am your Brother, whom ye sold a slave: " But GOD ordained it thus your lives to save. " Return to Canaan, bring my Father down ; " The good of all this land shall be your own. " But fall not out as homeward ye return, " Nor in your hearts let envious passions burn." A salutary lesson, for 'tis strife Which multiplies the ills of human life. When we the sacred oracles explore. And this eventful history ponder o'er, Do we not there a striking semblance find Between this family and all mankind. Review, in them, the children of one Sire, Charged with one mission, urged by one desirc : 26 JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. Tedious their journey, perilous their way, Their anxious minds to doubts and fears a prey : And now returning from a foreign land, Bound to a distant home, and kindred band ; To reach that home in safety there was need That in their wayfare they should be agreed. Exactly similar may all mankind Their origin in one great Parent find. All journeying onward through the rugged road Of life's rough pilgrimage, to that abode — (The house ordain'd for every child of man,) Appointed for them ere their life began ; And in their journey destin'd all to know. The sad varieties of human woe. 'Twere wisdom then to lighten, or to bear Each other's burthens through this world of care. Few are the charities we can display Ere the companions of our devious way, Like the sear'd leaves in some Autumnal frost, Droop, wither, die ; and are-for ever lost. JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. 2'7 And while we seek their place and seek in vain, Our bosoms swell with pity or with pain. Should conscience then in accusation rise. And memory lend her aid to agonize, We may dissolve in unavailing tears, But never can discharge the vast arrears For base ingratitude or cold disdain, To those on whom we ne'er shall look again. But vainly wishing to recal to life The silent objects of our vanquish'd strife — Then* errors all forgotten — we shall own How little charity our hearts have shewn. The slightest union in life's social plan Is that which links to man his fellow man. Yet thence unnumber'd obligations rise To waken nature's grateful sympathies. But still our hearts in closer bonds to bind. Our Heavenly Maker round those hearts hath twined The sacred cords of kindred love, which blends In sweetest union relatives and friends : 28 JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. To what affections arc our bosoms won By tlie clear ties of Father, Brother, Son ? But when revenge, and malice, and ill-will. Mankind with enmity and rancour fill ; When parents govern with a tyrant sway, Or rebel children parents disobey ; When shameful variance dwells 'twixt man and wife, What woes arise from such domestic strife ? From Hatred and Revenge what evils flow, The blood-stain'd annals of all ages shew. But time would fail me 'ere I could relate The devastations caused by deadly hate : The time would fail should I attempt to show The civil broils that from dissensions flow. The time would fail me even to repeat The numbers fallen through religious heat. Oh that mankind unanimous were found ! That universal Concord might abound : JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. 29 That Discord's torch to Hades might be hurl'd, And the dread Fury banish 'd from the world. Could I be heard, this covmsel should be sent To the wide boundaries of the world's extent. — Let Faction cease, each head-strong passion still, And let Philanthropy each bosom fill. Could but my voice be heard, it should resound To all the far extended nations round. — ^ Henceforth let zealous persecution cease ; And let Religion's ways be ways of peace. The sacred page our duties will declare, And all that man need know is written there. Could but my voice be heard — I'd try to move Each kindred heart to deeds of social love. That every Family might feel the power Of that blest charm spread e'er retirement's hour ; But vain the excursive wish, aspiring, bold — The narrow circle of my Uttle fold 30 JOSEPH'S ADMONITION. Must be my humble bound — my humbler zeal To guide my little flock by truth's appeal. Blest are the peace-makers — to them is given A rich inheritance — a throne in Heaven. Strive for this glorious prize ; and be this strife The only warfare of a Christian life. To earthly passions heavenly arms oppose, And gain a triumph over bosom foes : And, Oh ! be sheath'd those swords, those banners furl'd, Which rouse to maddening rage a jarring world. Be every house a temple — every breast A habitation for some heavenly guest : Let peace and love their sacred hearth possess, The Lares of domestic happiness. Our souls would feel (might so much bliss be given,) Prelude divine ! an antepast of Heaven. THE CREATOR TO BE REMEMBERED IN TIME OF YOUTH. " Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth, while the evil days come not, and the YEARS DRAW NIGH, WHEN THOU SHALT SAY I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM." ECCLESIASTES xii. V. 1. TO THE MOTHER'S HOPE. Remember now in childhood's early day. The hand that form'd thy animated clay ; Engrave the precept deeply on thy heart, Nor let it ever from thy mind depart. » In the bright days of innocence and peace Offer to GOD thy pure and spotless heart ; Ere evil overtake, and pleasures cease, ' And thou in life's gay vision's have no part. 32 TO THE MOTHER s HOPE. The fleeting scenes of youth will soon be o'er, And if that season thou shalt spend in vain, Thou may'st with tears the precious loss deplore. And vainly wish the blessing to regain. Oh seize the opening dawn of youth, to pay Thy grateful homage to Almighty care : And ere the sun of life shall fade away, A resting-place against it's eve prepare : That when the vernal day of youth is past. And all the transient joys of life shall cease. No lurking fears may haunt thy mind at last, But an approving conscience whisper peace. The grateful tribute of untainted youth, Shall rise to Heaven and draw a guardian down. To lead thee in the righteous path of truth. And give thy hoary age a glorious crown. TO THE MOTHER'S HOPE. 33 Religious youth appears with every grace, Th' expressive image of a soul divine, Benignant sweetness beams upon it's face. And makes each charm with double lustre shine. Th' aspiring soul on heavenly joys intent, Will rise superior to affliction's power : The calm reflection of a life well spent Will solace every inauspicious hour- How safely may the humble soul repose Beneath the sheltering wings of GOD's own love. And e'en when death this earthly scene shall close, 'Tis but to open brighter realms above. Oh ! be religion now thy earliest care ; For beatific joys thy soul prepare. Trust not to-morrow — but begin to-day : Uncertain life admits not of delay. D REFLECTIONS ON THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 179'2. It comes — the midnight hour, with raven wing Outstretch'd, and urging on it's rapid flight Impatient of delay — nor will it pause To take a last farewell — though it involve The closing year, companion of it's fate. A few short moments and it will have pass'd The gulph, where year on year, and age on age, Has roU'd ne'er to return, save in the smile That plays around the memory of the past, Or tear that dims the retrospective eye. Now round a slumbering world has darkness drawn His sable curtain, and o'er pillow'd heads Of labour's children sheds lethean dews. ON THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1792. 35 Suspending in the sweet oblivious charm The anxious cares that wait on broad-eyed day. A child of labour I — and few my hours Of intermittent rest, but yet to me Sleep comes not. — It was wont to come In rosy infancy's delightful morn, When gay as Spring I bounded o'er the hills Of my dear native North, with heart as light And spirits as elastic as my steps : 'Twas wont to come, and at the accustom'd hour, A welcome guest, when on my pallet laid In my scholastic nunnery ; for such A semblance wore it's high sequestring walls And jealous gratings, shutting out the world. And wisely too — for sacred is the charge Of Youth and Innocence, whose ductile hearts, Like waxen tablets, take the deep impress Example's style engraves. — Danger lurks Where'er the wandering eye can rove abroad ; And caution only is security : 36 REFLECTIONS ON THE Those guardian walls repulsive, still immured ' A liajipy race, whose joy-illumined looks Show'd the bright transcript of in-dwelling peace : Easy their daily task, not sternly taught, Nor with reluctance learn'd — nor idly wish'd Was Recreation's hour, though hail'd with joy, For sport and pastime, harmony and song ; And, sometimes, Frolic wild, with wandering feet. Would pass, though rare the offence, the sacred bounds Prescribed by Discipline. — The orchard's pride, Primeval evil, still a tempting snare — But those erratic feet were soon recall'd. For Discipline was there (with eagle eye Glancing through every avenue to ill,) The guard of morals and the nurse of truth. Hertford, I loved thee ! and now Hng'ring dwell With fond delight on thy remember'd scenes. So often traversed with companions dear ; Thy upland parks, and variegated meads. Yielding their treasures to our gathering hands ; CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1792. 37 Cowslips, to form our light and volant balls, Their redolence imparting to the breeze; And king-cups, which beneath the struggling chin Of some coy schoolmate, we demurely held. Divining by their deep reflected tints Her secret fondness for the dairy's boast, Though blushingly denied. — How sweet our walks Through thy umbrageous woods, or fields of corn. Or fragrant turnips green, and white upturn'd, And tempting oft the interdicted touch ; Nor less delightful was our garden's boast, (Indulgence rare, for holidays reserved,) Our favorite " Long walk," o'er-arch'd with flowers, Roses and jasmine, and syringas sweet : It's postern guarded with the triple fence Of hedge and pallisadoes, cautious still To keep from public gaze the tribe within. There, arm in arm, with some selected friend, A book, or colloquy of distant home, BeguHed our happy hours ; 'till summon'd in ;}8 UEFLECTIONrf ON THE By scliool-bcll calls to prayer — then evening came, And rest's appointed time — but, ah ! too soon For spirits gay as ours — our lessons conn'd. Our hearts reposing in the care of Heaven, Some simple ditty still we carroll'd forth, Till kind " Good-night" seal'd up our heavy eyes. Those days are fled, and with them youth's gay dreams Of joy in perpetuity. — Dark clouds Arise in life's horizon, and obscure Hope's flattering prospects ; rough and rugged grows The Pilgrim's dreary journey through the vale Of human imperfection — set with thorns Conceal'd amidst it's path-adorning flov/ers : We lose the dear companions of our way, And seek them sorrowing — seek them — but in vain ; Not e'en in dreams restored — those vanities Of sleep's illusive hours that mock our souls With visionary joys — they visit not The overflowing eye — we wake and weep, In all the impotence of hopeless tears ; CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1792. o9 They soften not the cerements of the grave, Nor the lamented ones recal. But tears Are Nature's dower — from that convulsive sob With which we first inspire our vital breath, To that expiring sigh which bears aloft The spirit to it's GIVER — few the hours Unwater'd by those humanizing drops, Or for our own, or for another's woes : Tears are the entail of humanity. The penal heritage of peccant sons, The heir-looms of transgression, fruit derived. And still unalienable, from that source Of woe, the mystic and forbidden tree. Whose seeds the evil one profusely sows O'er all the earth, prolific, bearing fruit. Alluring still as that in Eden's grove. And still as fatal — multiplying death In every hideous form ; and ill on ill Dispersing through the world, more multiform Than those Pandora from her fabled box 40 REFLECTIONS ON THE. Let loose to plague mankind. In varied shapes The penalty of Adam is enforced, A doom irrevocable — toil and woe Accomplish'd, or accomplishing, on all Of mortal lineage, till each child of dust . Shall to his mouldering element return. Oh, what a portraiture of human woe Does History's page present ! and while I pause With eye contemplative o'er mightier ills, I learn submissively to bear my own. Wild with impetuous fury rushes down The mountain torrent ; and its foaming tide The peaceful vale submerges. — What at eve Was life and beauty, innocence and joy. The morning sun beholds an awful wreck. O'er which an angry sea tumultuous roars : All else in death's eternal silence hush'd. The fierce volcano, with terrific crash, CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1792. 41 Bursting it's dreadful crater, thunders forth The fiery ebullition ; pouring out, Circumfluent, it's desolating stream ; Till the bright ruin rolls it's glowing mass, A molten ocean of metallic fire. Torn with convulsive throes, the riven earth Betrays it's depth profound — a dread abyss Portentous, awful, strange. — One moment yawns A horrid sepulchre — one moment more, One dreadful moment — and the yawning pit Closes her rugged jaws. — But where is gone Oh ! where the goodly city, where her towers. Her ghttering spires, her ample domes, her halls. Her palaces — her glorious monuments Of science and of art? — Where, Oh! where The busy throng that peopled her fair streets ? All — all engulph'd by one concussive shock. Nor left one wreck to tell that once she was ! 42 REFLECTIONS ON THE Loosed from the storehouse of Omnipotence, The furious hurricane impatient bursts The barriers of restraint; and out at once Rush the conflicting elements, now leagued In wild uproar, lo waste and to devour. Destruction sweeps their path, and in their rear Stalk Plague and Famine, Misery and Death. In fierce battalions these misfortunes come: These are calamities that bear inipress'd The awful signet of Almighty Power : The Hand of God is seen — His Presence felt. When thus in dreadful Majesty aroused, To shake so terribly the trembling earth ! But these appalling scenes suffice not man. He lends his own exterminating aid To make the little span of human life More brief, more wretched still. — The deadly rage Of elemental strife is not enough, jNlan lifts his arm — his own unnatural arm. CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1792. 43 Against his brother man ; and earth must drink From war's ensanguined field the kindred blood That animates her slaughter-breathing sons. Deep in the crimson stream may History dip Her melancholy pen, and trace the crimes That bade those currents flow on Gallia's plains. Which threaten inundation o'er the world. Eventful year ! and big with future woe ; Within thy bounded space how strange, how great Have been the fearful changes ! — From their seats How are the mighty fallen ! the mean upraised ! The sword of war portentous now is drawn ; But where's the searching eye can pierce the veil That hides the awful future ? Who can tell How many widows' sighs shall rise to Heaven, How many orphans' tears bedew the earth. How many childless mothers mourn their sons. How many friends be sever'd, ere again In welcome peace that fatal sword be sheath'd ? 44 REFLECTIONS ON THE E'en in this favour'd land, on which kind Heaven It's choicest blessings showers, domestic grief Bows many a drooping head — in solitude Retired from public gaze ; but look abroad, Where faction's rage and usurpation's power Have spread their desolation, and despair ; Look on the expatriate Pole, whose mournful brow Marks his dejected spirit.— Patriot grief Sits heavy on his heart. — Not for himself Breathes he the frequent sigh ; his ample soul Has feelings more enlarged : his Country's wrongs, His outraged, torn, dismember'd Country's wrongs, His bursting bosom swell ; for he survives, Unhappy, to exclaim, " My Country was." Behold the fugitives of madd'ning France, Flee to our fostering Isle : their wealth iisurp'd. Their honours lost, their kindred massacred. Their Monarch slain, their dwellings waste, their names Extinct — themselves denounc'd. — Grief still on grief CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1T9<2. 45 Accumulate, these suffer and sustain : Let me not murmur then, that in my cup Some drops of bitterness should be commix'd. Farewell departed year, thy solemn knell Tolls on the ear of contemplative night A note of awful warning — So 1 hear The monitory sound — unheeded oft Amid the busy and continuous din Of this tumultuous Babel — oft unheard, When on the airy wing of new fledged hope, And fluttering in life's morn, my ardent soul Was spinning schemes of gossamer delight, Soon to be blown by adverse winds away : I hear it now announce the lapse of time, Admonish'd of that consvnnmating hour A\'hich shall have no successor : It ivill come^ That closing hour, on all created things ; So the Seraphic Angel's threat announced 10 REFLECTIONS ON THE To Patmos' exiled JNIartyr, when he sware, Witli hand upHfted toward tli' eternal Throne, That " Time should be no longer," — fearful thought To souls amenable for time abused. Time, the inestimable gift of Heaven, So frugally bestow'd, that one by one Are given the precious moments wing'd for flight ; And if we seize them not, like slighted friends. We learn to estimate their real worth But by their fatal loss. — Yet Time is oft The idle theme of peevish discontent : Tlie Impatient chide the tardy-footed hours ; The Gay — the Busy — blame their swift career : While deaf to each they roll their steady course, However urged their flight or wish'd their stay. Farewell departed year ! and farewell too To all the hopes and fears thy changeful scenes Have raised tumultuous, like troubled waves In ocean's fretful bosom, settled now CLOSE OF THE YEAR 179-2. 47 From passion's tide to resignation's calm. Thou hast not been so lavish of thy joys, As might inspire a wish for thy return ; Yet some blest hours are traced in memory's page Indelible — to which remembrance turns Without satiety though ere so oft, For Heavenly themes those hallow'd hours employ'd. Ah, what avails it ! — Much, if we acquire Religious discipline in sorrow's school : It teaches patience and humility : It lifts the eye of faith above the skies. And bids us own an omnipresent God. The heathen Sage, whose philosophic lore Had taught him to hold converse with himself, Had then perhaps attain'd the height supreme Of ethical perfection. — Higher soars The contemplative Christian ; taught to raise His intellectual faculties to Heaven In commune with his God. — O wonderful 48 REFLECTIONS ON THE Pre-eminence of Gospel liberty ! "SVliile from the world's indifference man retires, He may approach his Maker ; sure to find An Auditor — a Counsellor — a Friend. But if thus privileged, let conscience say, Shall heathen virtues in the judgment rise Condemnatory of his barren faith 'i Than this no season can be more replete With food for contemplation. — Midnight calm, The consummation of another year, And hallow'd silence of the Sabbath rest : Fit time to ponder o'er departed hours ; Fit time to meditate on hours to come ; A pause upon the confine of two years. Receding one — the other in advance ; Of one the stormy passage has been proved. The other unexplored, it's good and ill Impervious to the ken of mortal eye : Oh happy ignorance which gives us hope! CLOSE OF THE YEAR 179^2. 49 Oh, blest uncertainty which checks our pride ! To-morrow we may gain ambition's height ; To-morrow we may sink in misery's gulf; To-morrow may consign us to the tomb ; To-morrow may exalt us unto Heaven ! And yet to-morrow is the fatal day Of promise and protraction. — Oh how much We purpose that we never shall perform ! Herculean labours with a pigmy's power, Grand in design but fallible in deed. To-morrow comes — we still procrastinate ; It wears so much the semblance of to-day, That we are mock'd with the similitude. And the diurnal change is unperceived : Thus Day on Day, and Year on Year revolves, And Youth succeeds to Childhood, Age to Youth, And finds our busy minds pre-occupied With speculation on some phantom-scheme For that To-morrow which may never come. E 50 REFLECTIONS, 8cc. O give me then, Great Parent of tlie year, To seize the new-born hour — and it's first fruits To dedicate to Thy immortal Name ; And whether good or seeming evil mark The colour of my days, let them be spent In prayer, in praise, in gratitude to Thee. And whatsoever things my soul approves. Honest, true, holy, lovely, just and good ; Oh may I think on these, and these alone! DAVID. Oh for one kindling ray of heavenly light ! Some emanation from that source Divine, Which ope'd its flood-gates on thy glowing soul, Immortal Bard of Sion — lofty strains And holy song inspiring — to illume My humbler lay, which, emulous of thee, Sweet Harmonist ! would yet assay to make Judgment and Mercy it's adopted theme. Aid me then, heavenly Minstrel, if with souls In earth embodied, spirits blest may hold Desired communion — intercourse sublime ! Aid me, O son of Jesse, from that height, Where now thy tuneful Harp responsive joins Angelic Hallelujahs — hymning praise To God's eternal Glory. — So was tuned E 2 52 UAVID. Thy Harp long since, in Gibeah's royal hall, Awakening sounds of such sweet melody That Envy's madd'ning rage was calm'd — and sooth'd Demoniac phrenzy. — Give me then to catch Thy inspiration, as EUslia caught His master's falling mantle — soft and sweet As Carmel's mountain breeze, or Hermon's dew, Let it refresh my languid powers, my song Invigorate — my numbers raise — For, holy Prophet, 1 would sing of thee. Yet not thy youthful prowess would I sing. When with that fearless vigilance, which marks The good and guardian shepherd, thou didst seize The fierce invaders of thy peaceful fold, And save thy little trembler. — Nor repeat The song triumphant for thy wondrous deeds Achieved in Elah's valley, where the proud And vaunting Champion felt the mortal force Of thy despised pebble. — Nor recount DAVID. 53 Tliy perils imminent, when hunted down By Saul's inveterate hate. — Nor tell, though sweet The tale, of that pure love which knit thy soul In bonds of mutual faith with Jonathan, That tender pleader of thy righteous cause, E'en while his mystic arrows pointed out Thy pathway to his kingdom. — Neither tell How beauteous Abigail, with prudent zeal, And well-timed courtesy, appeased thy wrath Against her churlish Lord, and won tliy love: Nor yet — O wretched parent ! would I sing Thy deepest woe — the soul-subduing grief, Which bow'd thy mighty head for thy lost son. Rebellious Absalom. — Nor would I chaunt The praises due to thy religious joy, When to the sound of tabret. harp and lute, Thou led'st the dance before the holy ark, In honour of thy God. — No; none of these, But of thy fall, O David ! would I sing — Thy lapse from virtue — Thy unjust decree. 54 DAVID. Unwittingly denounced against thyself; Thy ])enitencc sincere — thy will resign'd, And pious hope by steadfast faith sustain'd. These would I sing, to warn my tender flock ; Lest, trusting in their own unaided strength, Too confident, tlieir erring steps might slide. These would I sing, that, should my wanderers stray From duty's path, to tread the flowery maze Of sin's enticing snare, they may discern. Ere darkness shroud them, the forsaken road. Rugged indeed the backward path may seem ; But it is safe and certain, and will give More cautious treading to their future steps. These would I sing, that, should the hand of Heaven It's chastisements inflict, their hearts may bend Submissive to the rod ; for chasten'd sons Are sons beloved. — God, who abhorretli sin. Yet on the sinner casts a pitying eye, DAVID. 55 And tempers wrath with mercy : Mercy drew The eternal Godhead from his heavenly throne, And that bless'd attribute redeem'd a world. Say then, thou form'd for virtue, what induced Thy fatal falling off'? How did the Fiend Seize thy unguarded inadvertent hour? Did slumber close thy Guardian Spirit's eye, Which should have watch'd each path that led to ill ? No — Israel's Keeper slumbers not — nor sleeps ; But thou wert traitor to thyself, and set Thy portals wide to let the tempter in : An idle hour, which should on better thoughts Have been employ'd, induced a sinful wish : That wish, indulged, to guilty action led And made the Foe triumphant ; — these I sing. ? 'Twas evening, when the gentle breath of Heaven, Fragrant and mild, play'd o'er the sun-burnt earth Restoring Nature's bloom, which erst had droop'd .>() DAVID. Bcncalh tlic blaze of a solstitial clay, When Sirius waits in heaven's ecliptic patii. Our central Orb's approach, conjunctively To shed o'er half the world the oppressive force Of all-subduing heat ; trees, plants, and flowers Sickening decline, and from their parent earth. With drooping heads, seek sustenance in vain. The varied tribes of beast, and bird, and fish. The torpid influence feel, and gasp for breath. Man too, their Lord, exhausted, faints beneath The fierce and fervid glow ; his frame unnerved. And paralyzed his will. — But when at length The golden lamp rolls down the western slope Of Heaven's o'er-arching concave. Zephyrs bland Fan with their balmy wings the ambient air. Refreshing Nature's face ; and evening drops Her silver veil to shade the effldgent rays, Quick glancing to another hemisphere : Delightful then the change ; each languid head Is raised with joy, and gratulation beams On every aspect, beautiful and gay. DAVID. 57 At this sweet hour, the Royal David left Th' indulgent couch where lassitude had stretched His enervated limhs, and wander'd forth To taste the balmy gale ; and, from the top Of his o'er-towering palace, to survey His peaceful Sion, joy of all the earth : Alone and unobserved, to meditate. And give himself to unincumber'd thought : Such leisure had the King, while Joab lay, With Israel's warlike sons, encamp'd against A hostile foe ; a fatal idle hour. Inimical to good, (for idle hours Are hours unbless'd of God) his wandering eye Beheld a woman bathing ; fair was she And beautiful to look on — unrestrain'd Her lovely form he gazed on — and his heart Glow'd with unhallow'd fire. Long he stood Enraptured ; and, unsated yet, his eye Dwelt on her loveliness, inspiring more Unchaste desires ; till, her ablutions o'er, 58 DAVID. Happily ignorant of what lier charms Had wrought, the fair retired : Ah ! happier still Had slie in ignorance remained, or they Been less exposed : that fatal hour decreed Her fall from Chastity — her husband's death. The impatient monarch left the terraced roof. Eager to learn who this fair dame might be, And sent inquiry forth. — This prompt reply The obedient servant brought — " 'Tis Bathshcba, The brave Uriah's wife, who in the field, Fighting his Country's battles, lies encamp'd Before proud Kabbah's walls." — The King, unmoved By this memorial of his Soldier's faith, His base adulterous purpose still pursued : Unrein'd, his passions bore impetuous sway ; Honour in vain, in vain did justice plead; Religion spake in vain ; the charmer's voice No longer won attention from his ear, Deaf to unwelcome truth : — Some soothing balm. DAVID. 59 Some spell oblivious to his conscience laid, He persevered to act, where thought was sin. With costly presents, and persuasion soft, The impassion'd King his ardent suit preferr'd. Alas! too well he sped: — For Bathsheba, Won by false glare, forgot her bridal faith, And to the royal tempter rendered up That matchless gem— that jewel above price— Her Chastity. — But soon the dreaded wrath Of her much injured Lord alarm'd her soul : For of her broken vows a proof arose Promulgating her shame. To David then, Her sad complaint addressing, thus she spake : " Cause of my shame and woe ! say thou, who didst The fatal trespass urge, how shall I meet A Husband's fierce resentment — how endure The growing shame which in the open face Of broad-eyed day shall blazon forth my guilt Conspicuous : A wretch for harlots vile (Alas ! myself more vile) to triumph o'er, 60 DAVID. Of matrons chaste the scorn." The King repUed, " Fear not — my royal mandate shall go forth Uriah to recal ; him, on some errand bound, Joab shall send forthwith : his prompt return And timely presence, o'er thy growing shame A covering veil shall cast : unconscious h-e, And unaspersed thy fame ; for thou shalt still The beauteous semblance wear, as heretofore. Of matron innocence and spotless truth." O sapient King ! but thou had'st yet to learn That simple, pure integrity of heart Could baffle and confound thy wily schemes : Thou may'st, indeed, have triumph'd in the thought Of confidence abused ; thou may'st have hush'd Th' unwelcome voice of rumour ; or the ken Of Argus-eyed suspicion lull'd to sleep ; But knew'st thou not there is a watchful Eye That will not bo deceived ? there is an Ear Which hears the inmost whisper of the soul ; DAVID, Gl There is an awful Voice that will be heard In sound the most tremendous, if not heard In silent admonition. Nature hears That Voice Omnipotent — obedient hears, And every raging element is hushed With " Peace be still." But Man, rebellious Man, Resists the Power Supreme — resists in vain ! Thus far, but not beyond. His Will permits Who guards his Glory with a jealous Eye ; And these prescriptive limits none can pass By force or fraud presuming. This, too late, The royal sinner learn'd, when all his toils, So finely spun, th' unconscious Hittite foil'd. Joab, obedient to the high command, Uriah from the camp in haste despatch'd, With letters charged, to greet his royal Lord. Him, when arrived, the King with guile address'd : — '* Welcome Uriah — I would learn from thee 62 DAVID. If all be well — say, then, how speeds the war ? How fares my servant Joab, and how fare My people that are with him ?" Uriah, Answering, said, — *' Thy servant left all well : Before proud Kabbah's walls we lie entrench'd, Which soon shall be our own — and on tliy brow, O King, it's diadem shall glitter." — Bowing low, Uriah paused. — Th' insiduous King resumed. " Well hast thou pleased me with thy good report : But thou, my faithful soldier, must have need, Alter thy toilsome journey, of repose. Go, wash thy feet, and thy soil'd garments change. And cheer thy spirits with refreshments meet. Then to thy home in peace, my friend, retire ; Suspend thy cares ; and, for a while, enjoy Some relaxation from the toils of war. Some letters for the camp, I will prepare Wherewith to charge thee back." With modest mien Uriah left the presence : but to taste The joys of peace alone his noble soul DAVID. 03 Distlain'd. Prone at the royal palace gate Outstretch'd all night he lay. Guileless himself Evil he thought of none, and sweeter sleep Enjoyed, thus couch'd, than did th' adulterous King, On luxury's bed extended ; stung with guilt. His labouring mind forbad the kind approach Of that bless'd nightly visitor. At dawn Of day he left his irksome couch ; and soon The unwelcome rumour reach'd his troubled ear Of stern Uriah's self-imposed restraint. Fierce passion shook his soul — but in the guise Of well dissembled zeal he thus address'd His rigid soldier: — " Is the rumour true That thou, Uriah, at the palace gate Didst chuse thy place of rest, when pillow'd ease And social joys awaited thee at home? Toils such as thine some short indulgence claim. And faithful service past, well earn'd repose. Whence then this abstinence?" " The Ark of God," (M DAVID. Uriah answer' tl, " In the open fielil, And Joab, with the servants of my Lord, And all the host of Israel, are encamp'd ; Shall I then at the banquet eat and drink, Sit at the festive board, or give my soul To soft endearments of connubial love ? As thy soul liveth before whom I stand, I will not so indulge." The King replied, " Tarry to day — To-morrow thou shalt seek Thy warlike tents again : this day abide And share with me the banquet ; music's charms Shall cheer thy spirits, and make glad thy heart." So did Uriah, in obedience ])ound. As will'd his royal Lord. The regal feast He shared, where costly viands deck'd the board, And sparkhng goblets flow'd. The artful King Oft fiU'd the circling cup, and ply'd his guest With copious draughts of wine, which haply might DAVID. G5 His reason captivate, his senses arm Against his vow'd forbearance, but in vain — = For when the evening came his lowly place Of rest he chose — self-banish'd from that home He ne'er must see again. — For now the King, Furious with wrath, that stern forbearance cursed Which foil'd his treacherous schemes ; entangled fast In sin's destructive toils — he fell, alas ! From bad to worse, and to adultery join'd Deceitful cruel murder, and decreed The brave Uriah's life, the fatal price Of disappointed guile ; and, to fill up His aggregate of guilt, basely betray 'd His valiant soldier to the vengeful sword Of Israel's haughty foe. To Joab, thus The infuriate King his stern command address'd ; " Assign Uriah to the hottest place Where the fierce battle rages — then retire Thou and thy followers — that he may be slain," 66 DAVID. Back to the camp the deeply injured man Return'd, unconscious of his wrongs, bearing The fatal mandate, fraught with purpose dire, To bury all in his untimely grave. Ah ! what avails it, that his conquering sword Has chased Jesurun's foes, or what his prayer, That peace may dwell within fair Sion's walls, And plenty fill her palaces. — That broils Intestine ne'er her goodly towers may spoil. Nor foreign foes her borders — that her vales And waving fields, exuberant of corn. May with new verdure smile. — Her manly sons. Like stately cedars grow. — Her daughters fair Bedeck'd with every grace. — Alas ! for him No daughters bloom, no duteous son shall grow. To bless his hoary age — nor Sion's gates Again unfold to let her Hero in. Condemn'd, on hostile plains, in manhood's prime To fall, the Victim of his Sovereign's guilt. Too prompt to execute his Lord's command DAVID. 67 Was Joab found — though afterward as prompt To disobey ; when, deaf to pity's call, And that parental agony, which wrung The stricken heart of Israel's suffering King, And urged the fond request to spare a dear, Though greatly erring son, his furious rage Impell'd the murderous javelin through the breast Of rash rebellious Absalom ; nor gave A space for penitence, an hour for prayer. But fierce and cruel, Oh, thou man of blood ! Murder was ever thy desired repast : Or traitor like, thou had'st not sacrificed Abner with guile — Amasa with a kiss. Now through the tented field the dreadful din Of Avar's alarm resovinded ; loud and shrill The brazen trumpet echo'd through the camp It's notes discordant, all the martial host Assembhng : when Zeruiah's dauntless son Address'd the bands. — " Associates in arms, F 2 68 DAVID. Ye chosen sons of Israel, hear my words. No longer let us here inactive lie Before these walls that shield our heathen foe : But to his teeth provoke the fight, and rouse The hunted Lion from his safe retreat. Hear Jashobeam, brave Adino hear; Harken, O Eleazer, valiant son Of Dodo ! and thou, Shammah, lend an ear : Worthies of Israel, men of high renown. Who, arm'd in Heaven's own panoply, brake through Th' embattled ranks of death-denouncing foes To Bethlehem's crystal fountain, bearing back It's sparkling water to Adullam's cave, The fainting spirit of our royal Lord To succour and sustain. Triumphantly The long'd for boon was won : triumphantly The selfish wish resisted. — On the ground The consecrated draught he poured. It was The price of precious blood ; though coveted, Though eager thirst impell'd, he drank it not. DAVID. G9 Say then, ye men of valour who achieved At Ephesdammin such heroic deeds, Shall now our arms grow slack in Israel's cause. Or shall we shrink from dangers unessay'd ?" Adino answered. — " High, O mighty chief, Hast thou emblazon'd and extoll'd our deeds Beyond desert ; thine own, superior far. In silence past. To thy victorious sword We owe our Sion, envy of the world, ^^^on from the heathen Jebusite, and now The royal seat of David's mighty throne. Terror of Kings, Jerusalem's delight : For in her palace is Jehovah known, A refuge for His chosen. — In His Name We fight and conquer, what then shall we fear ? Let thy command go forth and we obey." Joab replied. — " At early dawn lead forth Your marshall'd files; assail the city walls; 70 DAVID. Eflect a breach, then boldly enter in; Unfurl the royal standard : and, with shouts Triumphant, let your conquering banners wave Aloft in air." — "Be thine, Uriah bold, Th' important charge to lead the fierce assault ; Thy dauntless spirit firmly will maintain The enterprize, unawed by ramparts high Or bastion strong : If need require, myself With timely aid will succours bring ; if not The glory be thine own, companion brave." Now to the fierce attack Uriah led His death-devoted band: the wary foe, Prepared to guard the walls, stood firm and close : Their pliant bows well strung, their arrows fix'd. And to their heads drawn up. Now wing'd with death The fatal shafts flew thick, succeeding cloud On cloud dark'ning the air. — The unequal strife Not long could be maintain' d — what valour could, Uriah boldly dared, till in the front Of danger, pressing on in duty's path, DAVID. 71 Pierced to the heart, the noble Hittite fell. And happier so to fall on hostile plains, Than, buoyant on the wings of flatt'ring hope. Returning home, to find dishonour there. For what, midst all his toils, the soldier cheers ? What is his leading star ? — 'Tis hope, sweet hope, Anticipation cherish 'd, yet to find (Enrich'd by conquest and in name renown'd, The golden meed of many a toilsome day) His wish'd for port of rest, his peaceful home, Where round his knees an animated troop Of rosy boys and girls, with cherub smiles And joyous greetings, hail his safe return : And she, whose cherish'd image oft has cheer'd His tedious exile, eager springs to meet His fond embrace ; while her chaste lip returns Inviolate the treasured kiss which seal'd The parting benediction. — This is joy — Is happiness — is heaven begun on earth. Which angels might contemplate with dehght. 72 DAVID. Lovely those scenes to view, but lovelier still Those blissful scenes to share. — In such a port, My humble bark hast oft it's anchor cast, In the sweet calm of many a halcyon day : And for that little Zoar, morn and eve Ascend my fervent prayers. But who shall speak The wretchedness of him, who, exiled long, Returning finds the expected cup of bliss Infused with deadly gall^ — his rights usurp'd. His nuptial bed defiled — his name a jest — His home a desart, and his honour soil'd — And the prized heart, on which his faith reposed, A traitor to it's trust. — These — these are woes Which lacerate the soul with festering wounds Incurable, — and from her seat supreme Imperial reason drive. — Better to die. In happy ignorance blest, than live to know His fancied happiness was all a dream. Uriah fall'n, the deep-mouth'd clarion sounds DAVID. 7.3 Retreat : it's brazen voice is heard through all The embattled field sonorous. To their tents With speed the warring Tribes retire, and wait The fatal day decreed for Kabbah's fall. Now Joab to his royal Lord convey'd The welcome tidings of Uriah's death, Which thus in brief the Messenger declared. " O King ! the men of Rabbah have prevail'd. " We boldly fought ; but from the city walls " The archers shot ; some of thy servants fell ; " And brave Uriah lies among the slain." Well pleased, the King (his joy dissembling,) cried " Let not thy chief afflict his soul for this ; It is the chance of war. The vengeful sword Destroyeth all alike : nor blooming youth, Nor manhood's prime, nor yet the hoary head Of wintry age, exemption find from death ; For to the strong the battle is not sure ; 74 DAVID. Nor to the swift the race." To Joab thus, Returning, thou shalt say : — " Be not dismay'd, Nor augur ill, that o'er thy conquering arm The Foe has once prevail'd — the battle urge With force reiterate and added strength : Amnion shall yield to thy victorious sword." The Messenger return'd ; but swift as light His fatal tidings spread. Bathsheba heard ; And mourn'd (or seem'd to mourn,) her slaughter'd Lord. But soon a Royal comforter she found : And for the dazzling' lustre of a Throne Forsot Uriah in his murderer's arms. Awhile the thoughtless King,, entranced in bliss, Enjoy'd his guilty prize, so dearly won; And conscience slept ; though soon to be aroused In vengeance dight ; and arm'd with scorpion stings, The scourge and dread of guilt. Not unseen Had David plunged so deep in sin's dark gulf : That omnipresent God, whose piercing eye DAVID, 75 Pervades at once Creation's vast expanse, And in the deep recesses of all hearts With penetrating ken explores each thought, Had mark'd his steps progi'essive through the maze Of error ; and in parable disguised His semblance held to view — awakening thus His humbled soul to penitence and shame ; In hasty wrath self-judged and self-condenui'd. By God's command the Prophet Nathan sought The Royal ear, and urged his high behest. Hear me, O King ! " Within thy sacred realm Abode two men — one rich in worldly store, In corn and wine and flocks abounding. — Poor Was the other, nought on earth possessing Save one ewe-lamb, his little all ! which with His children grew ; and from his hand did eat It's daily food ; and of it's master's cup Familiar drank, and in his bosom slept : For his affection, as a daughter dear. 76 DAVID. The little fondling shared. But what will not The force of lawless power ? To the rich man A traveller came ; but whilst his own good things The wealthy miser spared, he took the lamb, The poor man's all, to entertain his guest." David replied, with anger greatly moved, " The man whose selfish heart could prompt an act So wicked, so unjust, shall surely die : And to his injured neighbour shall restore Fourfold, the lamb which he relentless seized" Then Nathan, answering, said, " Thou art the man. Cans't thou not find a just similitude In thine own deeds ? — Tear off that soothing balm, Thatflattering unction, which self-love has wrapt About thy heart, to lull it to repose. And thy awaken'd conscience will repeat " Thou art the man." Thus saith the Lord thy God — " When thou wast little in thine own esteem. From all thv tribe I chose thee for mine own ; Endued thy soul with strength, thine arm with power ; IV |M DAVID. 77 And from a sheepfokl raised thee to a throne. When proud Phihstia's champion, Gath's dread son, Goliah fierce, defied my marshall'd hosts, In vain his massive spear he brandish'd high ; In vain his ponderous shield opposed ; for -I To imbecility unnerved his arm ; And gave thy stripling form a giant's strength, O'er giant pride to trample : not in thine But in My might thou wentest victor forth. When the fierce, jealous King, revengeful Saul, Infuriate at thy victory's well earn'd praise, With never-ceasing hatred sought thy life, I saw th' uplifted stroke, and in the gap Stood ever ready to avert the blow, And turn the erring weapon far from thee. In perils eminent, My Providence Was still thy guide ; till on thy master's throne I fix'd thee safe, and to thy bosom gave Thy mastei-'s wives ; and had not this sufiiced, I would have added more, in wisdom ask'd. 78 DAVID, Hear now what thou hast done : — A guilty deed That on my Glorious Name casts foul reproach ; And to my enemies gives cause of joy. For when the righteous fall the evil hearts Of wicked men exultingly rejoice; And fools, triumphant, make a mock at sin. Thou wert a chosen heacon, placed on high To shed diffusive light ; effulgent shone Conspicuous thy far extending rays ; Thou hast obscured the candle of the Lord And quench'd the light divine ; To appetite — To sinful appetite a willing slave, Wooing thy fetters.— Impotent to rule Thy headstrong passions — they subjected thee. Bathsheba is thy wife ; and well thou know'st By what deep crimes obtained. — Uriah's blood, Like that of righteous Abel, from the earth Hath cried aloud to Heaven. — Him hast thou slain, Slain by base treachery — slain by Ammon's sword, Therefore the sword shall never from thy house DAVID. 79 Depart ; but evil will I bring ; fit scourge For evil deeds. Well thou know'st my word Immutable, " Surely I will require At every brother's hand a brother's blood." Abash'd, and humbly penitent, his fault The royal sinner own'd ; nor sought to hide Nor to extenuate. Submissively At Mercy's footstool pardon he implored, And acceptation found- By heaven inspired, The holy seer declared the Grace obtain'd. " God judgeth not as man: the rash decree Which in thy hasty censure thou didst pass He will avert, and take away thy sin : Thou shalt not die ; — for to the Lord our God Belongs forgiveness ; and His mercy spares, Though sinful men rebel, and disobey The sacred laws His wisdom hath ordain'd. Yet humbly hear, thy foul offence has caused Reproach and blasphemy against the Name 80 DAVIU. Of Israel's God: therefore His chastisements Thou must endure, though it will deeply wound Thy heart; yet know — the adult'rine child must die." The Prophet ceased, and left the grief-struck King, Nor was the tlu'eaten'd punishment delay'd. Disease it's victim seized, and sick and faint The little sufferer lay, — with suppliant eye Upturn'd, to seek that aid it could not ask ; Or, if it could, must ask, alas, in vain ! Oh ! how soul I'ending is the dumb appeal. The ardent gaze, the meek imploring look, Of suffering infancy ; while the fond heart, That watches o'er it's woes, with anguish keen In vain laments it's impotence to save. The humbled parent fasted, wept and pray'd. But the immutable decree was past : Seven days the victim linger'd, when the thread Of fleeting life gave way ; it's sufferings fled. And on it's new fledg'd pinions, mounting high, The little Angel rose to meet it's God. DAVID. 81 Soon as the whisper'd tidings met his ear, The suppUant Father from his humhle prayer With resignation rose ; Avhile there remain'd One unextinguish'd spark of hfe to feed His fond parental hope, that haply, God jMight hear, and spare his child, he wept and pray'd ; But when he found the heaven-born spark extinct, Far brighter hopes new beaming from the skies Cheer'd his prophetic soul — for with the eye Of Faith, he saw immortal glories rise, Nor longer mourn'd on earth whom he should meet in Heaven. THE VANITY OF WORLDLY PURSUITS. " Then I looked on all the works that my hands HAD WROUGHT, AND ON THE LABOUR THAT I HAD LABOURED TO DO : AND BEHOLD ALL WAS VaNITY AND Vexation of Spirit." ECCLESIASTKS i'l. V. 2. Rich, powerful, magnificent and great, In all the gorgeous pomp of regal state, Behold this royal slave of discontent In all the actions of his life, repent. He sought for wealth ; the golden end obtain'd, It's weighty care his anxious bosom pain'd. Houses he built, and fiU'd with princely store. But happiness ne'er enter'd at the door. He planted vineyards, where it's nectar'd juice The purple grape afforded for his use ; His gardens were with rich abundance stored Of choicest fruits to deck the costly board ; THE VANITY OF WORLDLY PURSUITS. 83 And flowers, that with each other seeni'd to vie, To gratify the smell and please the eye : But looking on the works that he had wrought. Disgust o'erwhelm'd his mind with feverish thought; I loath (he cried) the works that I have done, For all is vanity beneath the sun. The minstrel's power he sought, whose melting strains Might sooth the anguish of his heartfelt pains ; But the envenom'd arrow of despair. Pierced his discordant soul with gloomy care : The minstrel's voice he soon refused to hear, And dulcet sounds no longer charm his ear. Beauty his palace fiU'd, where'er he ranged, But from his heart was happiness estranged ; Mistrust and jealousies invade his breast. Destroy his peace, and rob his soul of rest ; And Israel's King with grief exclaims again, All — all on earth is vanity and pain. G 2 84 THE VANITY OF WORLDLY PURSUITS. The royal penman disappointment found In every turn of pleasure's sickening round ; Dearly he proved the impotence of wealth, To purchase happiness, content or health. He felt the bitter stings of sensual joys. And learn'd to value wisdom's higher prize : In that he found, what he had sought in vain In all the vanities of pleasure's train, A sweet companion in life's prosperous hours, A soothing friend when adverse fortune lowers. When wisdom had unlocked her sacred stores, The golden treasure eager he explores ; And cries, O be it henceforth understood That knowledge is the one substantial good ! Yet vanity in knowledge lies conceal'd, When searching into mysteries unreveal'd. The path of wisdom lies before our view, And infant reason may that path pursue. THE VANITY OF WORLDLY PURSUITS. 85 Serve God with fear, His sacred laws obey, Let His commandments every action sway ; This our whole duty — this true wisdom's plan, Worthy pursuit alone of mortal man. RETROSPECT AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1814. Prophetic was the strain, though uninspired, Which sung of lengthen'd war — when fiction's rage, First drew the intemperate sword. Twice had we told The fatal Trojan term, and endless seem'd The dreadful work of death; — for still that sword, That fierce remorseless sword, insatiate, drank The blood of countless thousands. — Victory came. True to the standard of her chosen sons. But came with drooping wing and sadden'd brow, Her arm encirchng still some Hero's urn. Dear to Britannia's love. — O Queen of Isles ! Triumphant through the world, the cypress wreath. Too mournfully entwines thy laurel crown — O'ershadowing joy with sorrow : — Sacred tears, She shed for those who shed for her their blood. CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1814. 87 How has she mourn' cl her Nelson ! Favorite son Of her own ocean's glory ! How for thee, Brave Abercrombie, whose undaunted soul, Spite of the mortal blow, to conquest led Thy valiant band ; and Theban-like endured The fatal barb unmoved, till victory's shout And thy heroic spirit rose to Heaven, Immortal as its deeds. Nor mourn'd she less For thee, lamented Moore ! serene and brave : Patient in trials — firm in thy resolves ; Loved by thy followers, dreaded by the foe ; And worthy to assay Napoleon's might — And check the boaster's vaunt. Not so ordain'd Destin'd to fall in glory's mid career. The fatal laurels, at Corunna won. Droop o'er thy rude unconsecrated grave. For these their country weeps, nor these alone : For many a soldier brave, and many a foe, Have shared the tribute of her generous tears. S8 RETROSPECT AT THE Oh what a sea of troubles has o'eiwhehned The long afllicted Nations, since the burst Of that rebellious storm, whose furious wave Broke through each sacred bound. Deep, deep in blood. Has France her annals written, from that hour, When her ferocious Regicide sent forth His fierce denunciation, till that day Of great and glorious triumph, when with tears The humbled Corsican implored his life, And found the pity craved from him in vain. Then shone the glory of the victor's wreath, Brighter than all the crowns that ever deck'd Napoleon's boasted spoils : for Mercy's gem Ne'er shed it's lustre o'er his gloomy brow, Whose smile was insult, and whose frown was death. Oh what a scourge to ))unish Europe's crimes Was that insatiate spoiler ! How he bound Her fettev'd Kings in ignominious chains, And trampled on their thrones ! Our Isle alone. Our heaven-protected Britain, unsubdued, CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1814. 89 The arduous strife sustain'd, alone she stemm'd The haughty tyrant's rage, and curb'd his power : Alone she made his boasted eagles flee ; Whilst on her highest cliffs, triumphant waved Her sacred flag, by patriot love upheld, A rallying mark, to which the anxious eyes Of prostrate Europe, yet might hopeful turn ; Till roused at length, that glory of the North, Imperial Alexander, rose in arms To more than mortal deeds. His Russia's cause, Nerv'd his strong arm, and Victory's banner waveel O'er his determined bands, unanimous To die or rescue their devoted land. And this the rash Invader learn'd too late ; When from the Kremlin's sacred towers he saw The funeral pile of his presumptuous hopes ; Confounded and aghast the boaster fled. While burning Moscow's patriotic flames Rose high to light him to disgrace and shame. Fear lent her coward wings, outstripping speed ; <)() RETKOSPECl' AT THE For with an arrow's flight that mock'cl pursuit, He shot through hostile ranks, nor gasp'tl for breath. Till Paris interposed her saving gates To shut his terrors out : And thus returns This vaunting herald of his own defeat. Where are his promised conquests rich with s])oil ? Where is the victor train to grace his Court ? Where his bold legions ? Where his followers brave? That Host unnumber'd which so proudly crossed, Secure of conquest, Niemen's fatal bounds? Seek them, O France ! on Russia's frozen plains, Where Arctic snows enshroud their stiffened forms : Seek them, O France ! in Moscow's flaming towers ; Seek them in Beressina's dismal flood ; Or the sad remnant seek at danger's post Midst woes and death — their coward leader fled. Yet raise the song of joy ! though thousands fall — Thouffh tens of thousands swell the dread amount — Yet raise the song of joy — " Napoleon lives!" And from your bosom-joys again can fill (LOSE OF THE YEAR 1814. 91 His tliinn'd, his broken ranks ! Te Deums sinsf ! Napoleon lives! and France may bleed to death. Now waked to glory injured Frederick conies To seize the golden hour, swift to avenge His beauteous Queen, and Prussia's crying wrongs. 'Tis Freedom's call, and Germany has heard, Ev'n to her utmost bounds, the joyful sound : Nor heard in vain ; her valiant sons rush forth, Eager to break their base Insulter's chain. And while parental yields to patriot love, Imperial Francis joins the sacred league. And now their triple eagles soar aloft To Glory's bright meridian : Europe free. With joy beholds their conquering banners wave, Who come to bring the panting world repose. Now ring the alarum in the tyrant's ears : How will they tingle at the fearful name Of Russia's veteran hero! How endure The more terrific Cossacks ? Breathe the sounds 92 KETROSPECT AT THE Of Moscow, Borodino, Minsk, Smolensk, Krasnoe, Polotsk, Mojaisk, — mementos dire! Then in one dreadfnl note appal his soul, And strike the chord of Leipsic's dreadful day — That glorious day, to Liberty so dear ! When it's glad shout triumphant pierced the skies, And on the heaven-fought field the victor kings Knelt to that King Supreme, whose powerful Arm Had won the righteous cause : For not to man, O God! not unto man, but to Thy Holy Name Be all the praise ascribed. — In Thy Might Our own immortal Wellington went forth Invincible. — But, O ! no feeble pen Must trace that matchless Hero's wond'rous deeds : On marble write them : let them live in brass : Awake some Homer ; frame the deathless song : A greater than Achilles be your theme. Let rescued Portugal his praise resound ; Spain her deliverer boast. Impartial too. Let France but teach her own historians truth ; CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1S14. 93 And tell who made her boasted armies flee, Who made her eagles crouch; who raised aloft The drooping lilies of her exiled King, And gave to him his own. O ! what a scene Of heartfelt triumph mark'd that rapturous day When peaceful banners waved on every tower, And London pour'd her joyful thousands forth To greet a Bourbon, to his throne restored. O year of triumph ! dear to every breast. That feels the glow of patriotic fire; To every philanthropic bosom dear; And dear to every heart that joys to see Oppression's yoke thrown off. Rejoice, O France, Thou spell-bound country, for the charm dissolves. The fell enchanter's magic is ingulf'd Never to rise again ! — Welcome, fair land. Your King, your Louis, guiltless of the crimes, Whose crimson stain incarnadines his realms : Wash the foul stain from your polluted soil, 94 RETROSPECT AT THE And cleanse the Augean stable — raise again Your prostrate Altars — your subverted Throne ; And from the errors of fanatic zeal Enlighten'd live a purer ftiith to own. And thou, afflicted Poland, raise again Thy woe-encircled head — awake to joy ; And re-assume thy wonted eminence Higli in the rank of Nations. — Justice wakes, And heaven-directed, builds her sacred throne In Alexander's breast. His God-like eye, Which views compassionate all human woe, Looks not unmoved on thine. — He feels thy wrongs. And feeling — pities ; pitying — will redress. O ! that our own loved Monarch could behold His Hanover restored, and Russia free, Holland emancipate, and Nassau's flag Again triumphant. — Oh that he had seen, Th' illustrious warrior train, that graced so late CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1814. 95 Britannia's Court, delighting ev'ry eye ! Had Heaven indulgent heard our ardent prayer His Britain had not known a wish unbless'd. Yes ! our glad shores have hail'd the welcome feet Of those who brought us peace. Our eyes have seen The milder aspect of a Conqueror's brow Reflecting INIercy's beam ; our very babes, To admiration won, have learn'd to lisp In joyful accents every hero's name. And, as the stars of heaven, their names shall shine In glory's page till time shall be no more. And said I joy would never more return? O slow to understand the ways of Heaven ! We see not in the storm the guiding hand, Nor hear who says, " 'Tis I — be not afraid." But when our vessel gains the destin'd port, We own, with grateful joy, the Pilot's care; For comes not joy to me? Yes — in the smile That gilds domestic peace ; in social hours, J)() RETROSPECT AT THE In converse sweet, in rational delights, In all the Poet's charms ; sufficiency, Content, alternate labour and repose. Sweetening each other; and the dear dehght Of books ; and Friendship's charm to gild the whole; And O, my Gracious God ! that I might add Progressive virtue and approving Heaven. Joy comes, blest inmate of a heart at rest. For though the leading star of my young hopes Set in a clouded sky, a brighter sun Broke through the gloom to light a happier day. And if the shadow of past hours arise, As they will oft, uncall'd, to memory's eye. Shadows they are from Time's all-mellowing hand. That guiltless rise and pain my heart no more. Nor fruitless were those hours when sacred truth Inspired my ardent soul, and raised it's powers To meditative thought ; my early faith Confirm'd and strengthen'd, and my votive heart CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1S14. 97 To fair religion won. — The Parent Hand That shapes all human ends to sovereign good, And His Eternal Wisdom I adore : And thank my God for all His blessings here; While Faith and Hope direct my eye to heaven. H THE STAR OF ALBION. On the Lamented Death of her Royal Highness The Princess Charlotte. Hush'd is the lyre, the natal song unsung: Noi' pipe, nor organ swells upon the ear : Changed is our mirth, for every heart is wrung, And every eye is dimm'd with sorrow's tear. O wretched Albion ! well may'st thou deplore. Whose brightest Star has set to rise no more. Star of our dearest hopes ! how bright a dawn Beheld thy beauteous rising : golden days Of happiness presaging : Hope forlorn ! Since fate's dark veil involves thy short lived rays. A meteor blaze of transitory light, Thy brightest star, O Albion, sets in night. THE STAR OF ALlilON. 99 To-morrow's sun shall hail the infant heir : To-morrow's sun shall gild a Brunswick's birth : Alas ! that sun beheld the fatal bier, And England's glory levell'd with the earth. That boasted morrow dealt the deadly blow, Which wraps a Nation in the weeds of woe I How did we hail the inauspicious hour, While joy sat plumed in every glistening eye, How on the ear did gratulations pour ; Nor dreamt we youthful royalty could die : Till, like the burst of some volcanic roar, The dreadful sound went forth, — " She is no more." Sad is the brow, where hope triumphant smiled Absorbed in grief, no language can impart. We, with the Parent, mourn a darling Child : W^e, with the Husband, wear a widow'd heart. Thus weeping Albion dares to sympathize And echo her afflicted Princes' sighs. II '^ 100 THE STAR OF ALBION. Good, noble, happy, beautiful and young, Such Royal Charlotte was, and was our own. Graced, as her faithful eulogists have sung To bless retirement or adoi*n a throne. In life belov'd — in death how deeply mourn'd — Embalmed with tears ; and in our hearts inurn'd. Oh what an aching void our bosoms feel ! A torpid grief, that blunts all other woe : A deepening wound, which He alone can heal Whose Providence, unerring, dealt the blow. Yes ! while we bend beneath the chasteningf rod We own the Father and adore the God- Oh ! was it that a sinful Nation's crimes The arrow pointed to so bright a mark ? Pause — meditate — for these portentous times Proclaim the Power in His Almighty work. When Kings are bruised let trembling subjects fear ; And warn'd, avert the threaten'd vengeance near. THE STAR OF AI.BION. 101 Yet though our Hope has wither'd in the tomb Which shrouds the lovely spoils of splendid worth, Clothed in immortal glory she shall come WIio wore the robe of innocence on earth. When life's Great Lord shall earth and heaven restore Our beauteous Star shall rise to set no more. ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE, AND THE NECESSITY OF PREPARING FOR DEATH AND ETERNITY. Psalm xxxix. v. 5. O Lord, this knowledge to thy servant give- To know my end — how long I have to live. Teach me the number of my measured days ; And be they all devoted to thy praise. Such was the Royal Psalmist's pious prayer. Who sought to make Eternity his care ; Well knowing that the longest life of man, Compared with that is shorter than a span ; Amidst the strange vicissitudes of fate. Evil and good, by turns predominate To mai*k his chequer'd life with bliss or woe : (For such mortality is doom'd to know.) Raised from the humble sheep-fold to a throne ; ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE. 103 Now crown'd with victory — now overthrown ; Now faUing from his duty and his God ; Now humbled by affliction's chastening rod ; And drown'd in tears of penitence and shame, Confessing honour but an empty name : Thus taught that human nature is but frail, And that the best are liable to fail : Since he, though blest with Heaven's peculiar care, Had fall'n unheeding, in temptation's snare. Let us reflect awhile on days gone by : How will they bear our retrospective eye ? How vain ! how foolish our pursuits have been. Transient and few, the pleasures we have seen ; Grasping at shadows, while the substance flies. We seek on earth a tenant of the skies. The world it's idle phantoms holds to view, We trifle with them — yet despise them too ; Resistless still it's fascinating charm, Which shows no danger, whispers no alarm ; 104 ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE. Till like the vampire, with unfelt controul, It sucks the vei-y life-spring of the soul. Yet picture not of Hfe, too dark a shade,^ Lest melancholy fears our minds invade : Nor take delight it's miseries to trace ; But represent it with a brighter face. Though Happiness has fix'd her seat in Heaven^ Content to earth's frail children still is given. Life has it's comforts to.assuage it's cares ; And both for heavenly joys the soul prepares ; And scarce have any felt such hopelessness, But some dear solace has remain'd to bless :. Nor any yet have been so happy here, Not to have shed sometimes affliction's tear- Still they who trust in God's protecting care, With humble hope, resign'd, their lot may bear. Have our past lives, then, tranquil been — and calm, Imbued with pure rehgion's soothing balm ? ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE 105 If not — Ourselves alone have been to blame, W'Tien we her cheering powerful aid disclaim By deep repinings at afflictions sent As oft in mercy, as in punishment. But whether Providence has bless'd our lives With all the joys that prosp'rous fortune gives ; Or that on life's uncertain stage we've stood Exposed to storms, or drown'd in sorrow's flood ; Soon must the curtain drop : the scene will close And end our mortal pleasures and our woes. Pilsrims on earth, we know no fix'd abode ; Pilgrims, we seek the city of our God. What though this world alluring should appear, Let us not say 'tis good to linger here : Nor think this mould'ring tenement of earth Fit for a spirit of celestial birth. Though flattering to our view the scene appears, I low soon expires the term of fourscore years ! 106 ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE. To half the allotted span how few attain ; Yet man disquieteth his heart in vain To multiply his riches — heap on heap — And little thinks who shall the treasure reap. Man is but vanity ! — In his best state His nature is but frail — his follies great : Eager he flies life's fleeting joys to share, But thinks eternal joys scarce worth his care. He leaves Salvation's work to that late hour When weary nature feels disease's power. O, wherefore still defer from day to day, To seek the bliss that fadeth not away ! When worldly riches seem within our reach. Does interest then procrastination teach ? O, No ! — Man never ventures to delay Worldly advantage to a distant day ; But the most distant day appears too nigh, When the pursuit is but— ETERNITY. ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE. 107 And yet that great and awful day must come ; That threatened day of retributive doom, When earth and heaven shall melt with fervent heat : On high appears th' eternal judgment-seat : Lo trembling mvriads at that awful throne. The justice of their final sentence own. These are not dreams of a distempered brain, Or phantoms to afflict the soul in vain : But words of truth, by God himself pronounced, Who, on the sinner, vengeance hath denounc'd, Unless he strive by penitence and prayer. The All-atoning Sacrifice to share. But for the Obedient, blessings are prepared. Such as no eye hath seen — no ear hath heard. Then every Mystery shall be reveal'd. And every secret thought, howe'er conceal'd ; Then shall we learn why Wisdom should bestow On some Prosperity, on others Woe. 108 ON THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN LIFE. Why Penury and Want was this man's fate, And why Abundance did on that await ; No longer weakh draws her admiring trains. Nor of his lot the beggar now complains. The wicked from their guileful arts shall cease, The weary shall find rest — the troubled peace. The proud Oppressor shall invade no more The little comforts of the humble poor. For every Power must end save God alone ; And jealous conflicts be no longer known. Then shall the storm-toss'd soul — though tempest driv'n, A shelt'ring harbour find — a rest in heaven ; If by Religion's chart our course we steer, Seraphic wings shall waft our Spirits there. ON THE DEATH OF ENGLAND'S MOST BELOVED AND GRACIOUS KING, GEORGE III. Genius of Britain, once again Awake thy melancholy strain : A sorrowing world with thee shall mourn, O'er England's Monarch's hallow'd urn. Weep for the Good — The duteous tear Of sons bereft bedews thy bier. As o'er thy shrouded form we bend, Lamented Father, King, and Friend. Weep for the Noble — Him whose breast Made Virtue it's continued guest. On whose pure heart, unstain'd by guilt. Celestial truth her altar built. 110 ON THE DEATH OF (iEOlUiE HI. Weep for the Brave — whose generous soul Could every selfish wish controul : Who e'en beneath th' assassin's steel, Felt but compassion's strong appeal. The Patriot weep — who dauntless stood While abject Kings their fetters woo'd, Protector of his country's fame, Briton in heart, as well as name. Weep for the Pious — him whose tongue In matin prayer, and vesper song, Raised the pure strain by faith inspired, And practised all that faith required. Yes, weep the tributary praise Of Worth transcending mortal lays ; Angels thy eulogy shall sing, Lamented Father, Friend, and KING. JOSEPH, A DRAMATIC POEM. JOSEPH. JACOB. REUBEN. SIMEON. LEVI. JUDAH. DAN. NAPHTHALI. GAD. ASHER. ZEBULON. ISSACHAR. JOSEPH. BENJAMIN. STEWARD. GUARDIAN ANGEL. JOSEPH. JACOB'S DWELLING. JACOB AND HIS SONS. Jacob. Come forth, my sons, behold the cheerful morn Resplendent beams. On Heaven's own breath upborne Creation's early adorations rise In grateful mute spontaneous sacrifice. Then let not man be slow his GOD to praise, Who gave his vocal tongue it's hymn to raise- Father of Light and Life, to Thee we bend Our suppliant knees ; to Thee our prayers ascend. Let our first grateful breath to Thee aspire, Like incense kindled by celestial fire. Thou giv'st our rest, Thou giv'st our needful food, Thou giv'st us all; and all Thou giv'st is good. I 114 JOSEPH. Still let Thy goodness o'er our fate preside, And deign to be our Father, Friend, and Guide ; Supply the wants of our dependent state, Nor let that be too low, nor yet too great, Lest being rich we should forget thy name, Or poor, should steal, and cause reproach and shame. So shall our grateful hearts Thy praise declare, And tell how manifold Thy mercies are. Our table spread, our grateful tribute paid, AVith thankful hearts be nature's calls obey'd : Joseph. And while the strengthening meal our hearts shall cheer. Will my indulgent father lend an ear While I the vision of the night impart ? Jacob. ' Thy father's ear, my child, thy father's heart Be ever open to the mild request, By duty urged, or by affection prest. Joseph. May Heaven bless my father for his love ; And may thy duteous children grateful prove. JOSEPH. 115 Last night, when sleep had closed my weary eyes, A wondrous dream or vision seem'd to rise : My brethren and myself were in the field, Where the ripe harvest did it's treasure yield ; And as the russet ears in sheaves we bound, Mine stood upright while their's were bowing round. Dan. Vain boaster, cease ! Give o'er thy idle tale ; Nor let such fancies in thy mind prevail : Shall we on thy superior greatness wait ? Who shall make thee the ruler of our fate ? Joseph. Brother, 'twas but a dream : then wherefore chide, Or tax my sleep's infirmity with pride ? Yet so it was — nay more — I dreamt again And saw the host of Heaven, a brilliant train ! Eleven stars, ('twas wonderful to see) And sun and moon obeisance made to me. Jacob. Forbear, my son, nor let thy heart believe Dreams that too oft the credulous deceive ; I 9. IIG JOSEPH. Let not such flattering visions swell thy pride, Nor think fair Natiu'e's laws to set aside : Thy parents still o'er thee must bear the sway, To govern is their part, thine to obey. And, O my children ! let not baneful strife Poison the remnant of your fathei-'s life. Now to your several occupations haste, Nor time, the gift of Heaven, idly waste. The morning w ears ; away my sons, away ; Your flocks demand your care, no more delay ; Speed to the fold ; perhaps some new yean'd lamb Requires your aid, perhaps some panting dam. Forth with your kine — to cooling streams repair, And lead your herds to pastures fresh and fair : To dumb creation kind attention show. Creatures of providence as well as you ; And whilst through heaven's all-boimteous care you live. Freely as you receive so freely give. Go — Joseph stays with me— his tender years Require instruction and a father's cares. JOSEPH. 117 Yet soon the lad shall to the field repair, Bring you your noontide meal and tell me how you fare. DOTHAN. JACOB'S SONS, WITH THEIR FLOCKS. ASSER. Behold the dreamer, whom the obsequious skies Are flattering with superior destinies ; To whose imperious yoke our necks must bow. " Simeon. Say'st thou ! Oh ! sooner lay the rebel low : Is't not enough that he our father's love Has stolen from us ; must we also prove But cringing slaves to this false favorite, Who makes us odious in our father's sight? Joseph. Brethren, our tender father greets you well, And wills that I return with speed, to tell How 7e, with all your fleecy charge betide, That he may freely for your wants provide. lis JOSEPH. Simeon. Think not again to see thy father's face, Thou pampev'd minion, bane of all our race ; For thou hast wrong'd us by thy slanderous tales. Whose venom o'er his doting mind prevails- Joseph. Alas ! what do thy fearful words portend, What have I done ? Oh ! how did I oftend ? Unwittingly I have incurred your hate, For my affection is inviolate. Oh, let my tender years your pity move, And do not hate me for a father's love. He loves you also, tenderly he loves ; It is your faults alone which he reproves. O turn away those dark ferocious eyes ; What deadly passions in your features rise : Lift not your hands against a brother's life, Our father warned us to beware of strife ; Break not his aged heart by such a deed ; Reuben, dear Reuben, for thy brother plead. JOSEPH. 119 Reuben. Give me the lad. Let us not shed his bl