He knows the worthy from the vilè, None are too mean to share his smile, Great God! and since thy piercing eye And turn that heart to thee. DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. HEAR What the voice from Heaven proclaims, Sweet is the savour of their names, They die in Jesus, and are bless'd; Far from this world of toil and strife, Of all the pious christians dead, ΕΡΙΤΑΡΗ ΟΝ POOR BUT HONEST MAN. STOP, reader, here, and deign a look On one without a name; Ne'er enter'd in the ample book Of fortune or of fame. Studious of peace, he hated strife, Quarter'd therewith was innocence ; "A conscience void of all offence In the great day of wrath, tho' pride AN OLD BEGGAR MAN. I SEE an old man sitting there, Old man, why are you sitting so ? Ab, master! in the world so wide When I, like you, was young and gay, And so, instead of being taught And now that I am old and gray, But oft I shake my hoary head, MY MOTHER. WHO fed me from her gentle breast, And on my cheek sweet kisses prest? My Mother. When sleep forsook my open eye, Who sat and watch'd my infant head, My Mother. When pain and sickness made me cry, My Mother. Who drest my doll in clothes so gay, My Mother, Who ran to help me when I fell, My Mother. Who taught my infant lips to pray, And can I ever cease to be My Mother. My Mother. Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear ; My Mother. When thou art feeble, old, and gray, My Mother.' And when I see thee hang thy head, 'Twill be my turn to watch thy bed, And tears of sweet affection shed, My Mother. For God, who lives above the skies, My Mother. MY FATHER. WHO took me from my Mother's arms, And smiling at her soft alarms, Shewed me the world and nature's charms? My Father. Who made me feel and understand The wonders of the sea and land, And mark'd, through all, the Maker's hand? My Father. Who climbed with me the mountain's height, And watch'd my looks of dread delight, While rose the glorious orb of light? |