How each would trembling wait the mournful sheet, On which the press might stamp him next to die; And, reading here his sentence, how replete With anxious meaning, Heavenward turn his eye! Time then would seem more precious than the joys Then doubtless many a trifler, on the brink Of this world's hazardous and headlong shore, Forced to a pause, would feel it good to think, Told that his setting sun must rise no more. Ah self-deceiv'd! Could I prophetic say Observe the dappled foresters, how light They bound and airy o'er the sunny gladeOne falls-the rest, wide scatter'd with affright, Vanish at once into the darkest shade. Had we their wisdom, should, we often warn'd, Sad waste! for which no after thrift atones, Learn then, ye living! by the mouths be taught That, soon or late, death also is your lot, ON A SIMILAR OCCASION. For the Year 1789. -Placidaque ibi demum morts quievit--Virg. "O MOST delightful hour by man Experienc'd here below, The hour that terminates his span, "Worlds should not bribe me back to tread Again life's dreary waste, To see again my day o'erspread With all the gloomy past. "My home henceforth is in the skies, Earth, seas, and sun adieu ! All Heaven unfolded to my eyes, So spake Aspasio, firm possess'd He was a man among the few And all his strength from Scripture drew, That rule he prized, by that he fear'd, Nor ever frown'd, or sad appear'd, For he was frail, as thou or 1, But, when he felt it, heav'd a sigh And loath'd the thought of sin. Such liv'd Aspasio; and at last Call'd up from Earth to Heaven, The gulf of death triumphant pass'd, By gales of blessing driven. His joys be mine, each Reader cries, They shall be yours, my Verse replies, ON A SIMILAR OCCASION. For the Year 1790. Ne commonentem recta sperne.-Buchanan. He who sits from day to day, Heedless of his loudest lay, Hardly knows that he has sung. Where the watchman in his round So your verse-man I, and clerk, Duly at my time I come, Publishing to all alond Soon the grave must be your home, But the monitory strain, Oft repeated in your ears, Seems to sound too much in vain, Wins no notice, wakes no fears. Can a truth by all confess'd Of such magnitude and weight, Pleasure's call attention wins, Death and Judgment, Heaven and Hell- O then, ere the turf or tomb Make us learn that we must die. ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, For the Year 1792. Fells, qui potuit rerum cognescere causas, Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari !-Virg. Happy the mortal, who has traced effects To their first cause, cast fear beneath his feet, THANKLESS for favours from on high, And he, not wise enough to scan Would gladly stretch life's little span To ages in a world of pain, To ages where he goes, Bound by affliction's heavy chain, And hopeless of repose. Strange fondness of the human heart, Strange world, that costs it so much smart, Whence has the world her magic power? The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her voice his terrible though soft, Then anxious to be longer spared 'Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear, That prompts the wish to stay; He has incurr'd a long arrear, And must despair to pay. Pay!-follow Christ, and all is paid |