ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1792. Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas Happy the mortal, who has traced effects 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 power to charm. Whence has the world her magic power? Why deem we death a foe? Recoil from weary life's best hour, And covet longer woe? The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews: Then anxious to be longer spared, "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, 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 Can life in them deserve the name, Who only live to prove For what poor toys they can disclaim Who much diseased, yet nothing feel; Who deem his house a useless place; Faith, want of common sense; Who trample order; and the day, If scorn of God's commands, impress'd Such want it, and that want, uncured Sad period to a pleasant course! Yet so will God repay Sabbaths profaned without remorse, And mercy cast away. INSCRIPTION FOR A STONE ERECTED AT THE SOWING OF A GROVE OF OAKS AT CHIL. OTHER stones the era tell, 1790. Which shall longest brave the sky, I must moulder and decay; But the years that crumble me Cherish honour, virtue, truth, Stone at heart, and cannot grow. LINES COMPOSED FOR A MEMORIAL OF ASHLEY COWPER, ESQ. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH, BY HIS NEPHEW WILLIAM OF WESTON. JUNE, 1788. FAREWELL! endued with all that could engage All hearts to love thee, both in youth and age! In prime of life, for sprightliness enroll'd Among the gay, yet virtuous as the old; |