Seems to sound too much in vain, Can a truth, by all confess'd Of such magnitude and weight, Grow, by being oft impress'd, Trivial as a parrot's prate? Pleasure's call attention wins, Death and Judgment, Heav'n and Hell- O then, ere the turf or tomb Spirit of instruction come, Make us learn, that we must die. ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1792. Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, Happy the mortal who has trac'd effects To their first cause, cast fear beneath his feet, VIRG. THANKLESS for favours from on high, But he, not wise enough to scan 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 its 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, The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews: Then anxious to be longer spar'd, 'Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear Pay!-follow Christ, and all is paid; 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, To live to God is to requite But life, within a narrow ring Is falsely nam'd, and no such thing, Can life in them deserve the name, Who only live to prove For what poor toys they can disclaim 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 a useless place, Who trample order; and the day, If scorn of God's commands, impress'd Such want it, and that want, uncur'd Sad period to a pleasant course! Yet so will God repay Sabbaths profan'd without remorse, And mercy cast away. |