ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1792. Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, VIRG. Happy the mortal, who has trac'd effects THANKLESS for favours from on high, But 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 Gall'd by affliction's heavy chain, And hopeless of repose. Strange fondness of the human heart, Enamour'd of it's harm! Strange world, that costs it so much smart, And still has pow'r to charm. Whence has the World her magic pow'r? Why deem we Death a foe? Recoil from weary life's best hour, And covet longer wo? The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews: Her voice is terrible though soft, Then anxious to be longer spar'd, '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; Think on the grave where he was laid, ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1793. De sacris autem hæc sit una sententia, ut conserventur. CIC. DE LEG. But let us all concur in this one sentiment, that things sacred be inviolate. He lives, who lives to God alone, And all are dead beside; For other source than God is none, To live to God is to requite His love as best we may: But life, within a narrow ring Of giddy joys compris'd, Is falsely nam'd, and no such thing, But rather death disguis'd. Can life in them deserve the name, Who only live to prove For what poor toys they can disclaim An endless life above? Who, much diseas'd, yet nothing feel; Much menac'd, nothing dread; Have wounds, which only God can heal, Yet never ask his aid? Who deem his house an useless place, Who trample order; and the day, If scorn of God's commands, impress'd On word and deed, imply The better part of man unbless'd With life that cannot die; |