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 : 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, 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, And all are dead beside; For other source than God is none 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, For what poor toys they can disclaim Who, much diseas'd, yet nothing feel; Who deem his house a 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 ; 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. INSCRIPTION FOR THE TOMB OF MR. HAMILTON. PAUSE AUSE here, and think: a monitory rhime Demands one moment of thy fleeting time. Consult life's silent clock, thy bounding vein; Seems it to say-"Health here has long to reign? Hast thou the vigour of thy youth? an eye That beams delight? a heart untaught to sigh? Yet fear. Youth, ofttimes healthful and at ease, Anticipates a day it never sees; And many a tomb, like HAMILTON's, aloud Exclaims, Prepare thee for an early shroud." |