Page images
PDF
EPUB

And when the pangs of woe thy breast must tear, When pleasure fades, and fancy charms no more, Still may those hopes the gloomy prospect cheer, Unmoved by grief, unchanged by fortune's

power.

May love, esteem, and friendship, crown thy days,
With joys to guilt unknown, from doubt secure,
While heavenly truth inspires the voice of praise,
And bids that praise beyond the world endure !
Thro' life to Virtue's sacred dictates true,
Be such thy joys as angels must approve,
Such as may lead to raptures ever new,
To endless peace and purest bliss above!

STANZAS. Mrs. Carter.

ACQUAINT thyself with Gop, and be at peace;
To His attentive ear thy griefs confide e;
His tender care each throbbing pain shall ease,
His arm sustain thee, and His counsel guide.

No cold neglect the faithful heart repays,

Whose stedfast aim solicits His regard; Each wish for merit, each attempt to please

He views, and His approving smiles reward..

Thro' ev'ry changing scene His constant love
Alike shall make its happy object blest;
Shall ev'ry joy of active life improve,
And sooth its latest agonies to rest.

[graphic]

ON A THUNDER STORM.

By Bishop Lowth, at the age of 14.

LOCKED in the arms of balmy sleep
From every care of day,
As silent as the folded sheep,
And as serene, I lay.

Sudden tremendous thunders roll,
Quick lightnings round me glare,
The solemn scene alarms the soul,
And wakes the mind to prayer.

Whate'er, O LORD, in this dread hour,
These awful sounds portend,
Whether sole engines of Thy power,
Or groans for Nature's end,

Vouchsafe, amidst this time of dread,

Thy gracious arm to rear;

O save from death each friendly head,
And all my soul holds dear.

If waked by Thy vindictive hand
This awful tempest stirs ;

That peal the voice of Thy command,
Those flames Thy messengers;

Welcome the bolt where'er it fall

Beneath the passing sun;

Thy sovereign will determines all,
And let that will be done!

By all such strong explosive shakes,
One truth be understood:

The glorious GOD the thunder makes,
And all He makes is good.

But if, as Nature's laws ordain,
Not destined by Thy will,
The bolt exerts its wild domain,
Self-authorised to kill;

Quick interpose, all-gracious LORD,
In this tremendous night,

Arise, and be alike adored,
For mercy and for might.

Let it not fall where riot foul
Pours forth the drunken jest,
Nor where the guilt-envenomed sout
Starts from its troubled rest.

Succour the couch where beauty lies,
All trembling pale with fear;
Where sickness lifts its languid eyes,
Oh pour Thy comforts there.

Awhile O

spare those sinful breasts
Whose deeds the night deform,
And strike where smiling virtue rests
Unconscious of the storm.

Thus in the awful judgment day,
Whose image shakes the soul,
When keenest lightnings shoot their ray,
And loudest thunders roll,

Well pleased, O LORD, each eye shall see

Those final thunders hurled;

And mark with joy, for love of Thee,
That flash which melts the world.

ON THE BATH HOSPITAL.

Open to the sick Poor of every Part of the World.

O! PAUSE awhile, whoe'er thou art
That drink'st this healing stream ;
If e'er compassion o'er thy heart
Diffused its heavenly beam ;

Anstey.

Think on the wretch whose distant lot
This friendly aid denies ;

Think, how in some poor lonely cot
He unregarded lies.

Hither the helpless stranger bring,

Relieve his heart-felt woe;
And let thy bounty, like this spring,
In genial currents flow.

So may thy years from grief, and pain,
And pining want, be free;

And thou from Heaven that mercy gain
The poor receive from thee.

CHILD OF MAN.-J. Bowdler, Jun.

"CHILD of Man, whose seed below
"Must fulfil their race of woe,

"Heir of want, and doubt, and pain,
"Does thy fainting heart complain?
“Oh! in thought one night recall
"The night of grief in Herod's hall,
"There I bore the vengeance due,
Freely bore it all for you.

"Child of Dust, Corruption's son,

66

By pride deceived, by pride undone, "Willing captive, yet be free, "Take my yoke, and learn of me; "I, of heaven and earth the LORD, "GOD with GOD, the eternal WORD, "I forsook my Father's side, "Toil'd, and wept, and bled, and died.

"Child of Doubt, does fear surprize, "Vexing thought within thee rise;

[ocr errors]

Wondering, murmuring, dost thou gaze "On evil men and evil days?

"Oh! if darkness round thee lower, "Darker far my dying hour;

"Which bade that fearful cry awake,

66

My God, my GOD, dost thou forsake!

"Child of Sin, by guilt oppress'd,
"Heaves at last thy throbbing breast?

« PreviousContinue »