Or should her influence chance prevail, Full oft, before some savage foe, And views approach th' impetuous flood; Perspires apace at every pore, And groans, while horror chills his blood! How irksome then the moments seem, Chasing away the pow'r benign; Cast on the stormy sea of life, What pangs the too susceptive mind, Amidst its tempests, cares, and strife, Throughout each fleeting year must find! As tremble yonder aspen-leaves, How shall we mortals then withstand Whose arm a wond'rous cross sustains! Despot! thy hapless prey resign, Religion comes to break their chains! Confiding in the love of Heav'n, Beneath its fostering care secure, Although on earth 'tis often giv'n, Heart-rending evils to endure; Elate with hope, with patience steel'd, Resign'd the galling load we bear; And, arm'd with Faith's impervious shield, Defy thy poison'd weapons, CARE! A WINTER'S ADDRESS. Now, in his hoary honours drest, Reluctant Nature owns his pow'r, And bids her plumy songsters cease; No more the grove, the woodbine bow'r, The gurgling brook, or meadows please. Yet Hope the dreary scene beguiles, Should wrinkl'd age, thee, Florio, seize, With palsy'd limbs and temples grey; Or, 'midst the prime of youth, disease Forbid thy vital fount to play: When health no more thy bosom warms, And life's frail pleasures wither'd lie, At death's chill touch; as nature's charms Before the breath of winter fly: So then may Hope, in that dread hour, To thee her choicest cordials bring, And waft thee to that peaceful shore Where ever blooms perpetual spring! AN ADDRESS TO HUMANITY. O THOU! the nymph with humid eye, As list'ning to the plaintive tale, In all thy magic graces drest- To me thy choicest gifts impart- Philanthropy refin'd; The wish humane; the feeling soul Wide as the scale of life extends, Where heav'n in strictest union blends And heighten every joy. But chief, ah! give to smooth the And all his cares beguile: Nor while less noble fates I mourn, span, Far from those fields where Fury reigns, As oft on Fancy's wing I soar, Ah! give with pity's healing balm |