THE CHRISTIAN. BOOK THE SECOND. SPIRIT of Truth, deign as it rolls along, To aid the sacred labor of my song! Come, from the heav'n of heav'ns, thy fair abode, Where at the feet of the Eternal God, Thy gifts to none but to the upright heart; That but the pure vouchsafest to inspire, With thy chaste impulse, and thy hallow'd fire! 10 Thou that from guilt and discord ffi'st away, And scorn'st to wreath the blood-stain'd sword with bay! Without or grace or splendor to adorn, To manifest what Heav'n of wealth esteems, For oft the day devoid of food he led, And many a night unhoused was his head. 15 20 While his example teaches us to livę, 25 'Twill wonder raise, and Resolution give, Our native ingenuity refine, And charm, as animate, to worth divine, He is of righteousness the mighty Sun, Whose glorious course thro' endless years will run. 30 He while he gives Illumination fires, With reason, and with fortitude, inspires. To him each other prophet is a star, That feebly twinkles on our sight from far. And first we will his piety admire, 35 Which may our breasts with sacred warmth inspire. "Twas rais'd by a becoming dignity, "Twas manly, animated, gen'rous, free; No languid homage to a tyrant paid, With coldness thank'd, reluctantly obey'd; But teem'd with praise and resignation meet, Sublime, tho' temp'rate, fervent, tho' discreet; (Such as is due the bounteous sire of man, His friend, from whom his ev'ry good began)' ''Twas built on reason, and by reason sway'd; In ev'ry fortune equally display'd. In early youth, his manhood long before, An earnest reverence for God he bore; (Ah happy they, who blest with grace divine, To virtue thus the morn of life consign, 40 45 50 And shun at ev'ning, with severe remorse, 55 In all around astonishment and praise. Why from their guardian care he had retir'd, Why wist ye not, he said, nor comprehend, 59 That I my heav'nly Father's business must attend? He shew'd to God in all that he pursu'd, '65 Or his submission or his gratitude; To this high purpose he his conduct bent, On this for ever pleasingly intent. It was his meat, obsequious to fulfil, Without repining, his great Father's will; 'Twas the delight, refreshment of his soul; Which was more heav'nly sweet, than any foul, Than any fleeting, treach'rous joy could be, Of low, debasing sensuality. |