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 | The complete works, poetry and prose, of the Rev. Edward Young prefixed, a life of the author, by John Doran ... With eight illustrations on steel, and a portrait. In two volumes |  |
“Why life, a moment? infinite, desire?
Our wish, eternity? our home, the grave?
Heaven's promise dormant lies in human hope;
Who wishes life immortal, proves it too.
Why happiness pursued, though never found?
Man's thirst of happiness declares It is;
(For Nature never gravitates to nought;)
That thirst unquench'd declares, It is not here.
My Lucia, thy Clarissa, call to thought.
Why cordial friendship riveted so deep,
(As hearts, to pierce at first, at parting rend,)
If friend and friendship vanish in an hour?
Is not this Torment in the mask of Joy?
Why by Reflection marr'd the joys of Sense?
Why Past and Future preying on our hearts,
And putting all our present joys to death?
Why labours Reason? Instinct were as well;
Instinct, far better; what can choose, can err:
O how infallible the thoughtless brute!
'Twere well His Holiness were half as sure.
Reason with Inclination why at war?
Why sense of guilt? Why Conscience up in arms?”
Our wish, eternity? our home, the grave?
Heaven's promise dormant lies in human hope;
Who wishes life immortal, proves it too.
131
Man's thirst of happiness declares It is;
(For Nature never gravitates to nought;)
That thirst unquench'd declares, It is not here.
My Lucia, thy Clarissa, call to thought.
Why cordial friendship riveted so deep,
(As hearts, to pierce at first, at parting rend,)
If friend and friendship vanish in an hour?
Is not this Torment in the mask of Joy?
Why by Reflection marr'd the joys of Sense?
Why Past and Future preying on our hearts,
And putting all our present joys to death?
Why labours Reason? Instinct were as well;
Instinct, far better; what can choose, can err:
O how infallible the thoughtless brute!
'Twere well His Holiness were half as sure.
Reason with Inclination why at war?
Why sense of guilt? Why Conscience up in arms?”
| The complete works, poetry and prose, of the Rev. Edward Young prefixed, a life of the author, by John Doran ... With eight illustrations on steel, and a portrait. In two volumes | |