The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse (1735-1820): Edited by the Rev. R. I. Woodhouse |
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CHAPTER 17th.
The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse |  |
Think not, ye restless Rich! low Malice lurk'd
Within the labouring breast, while Anger work'd—
He'd ne'er his Peace, and richer Hopes, resign,
For all your Wit and Wealth—your Show and Shine;
Nor wish like Riches—Honours—Place—or Pow'r;
Unless God's Grace would bless each bounteous Dow'r,
By shaping both his Heart, and Will, to share
Those blessings with the Broods of Toil and Care—
For God, and gracious Conscience, must condemn
Such Pomp and Luxury whilst neglecting Them!
His Heart ne'er hanker'd after Fame, or Wealth,
To risque Heav'n's better blessings, Peace and Health;
Nor could his Conscience covet Pow'r, or Place,
Gay Pomp—and Pride, and Lust, with loss of Grace;
Or to seek to purchase, at such countless price,
Such negatives as Vanity, and Vice;
With all the Folly—Falshood—Flattery—found
To cheat the Soul, on such enchanted Ground;
The Troubles—Cares—Anxieties—of Mind,
The frantic Votaries, of those Idols, find;
That, in the present State, all peace destroy,
And banish all just hopes of heavenly Joy:
Ah! no—pure Pity struck his aching Heart,
Beholding You perform your frantic Part;
And swelling sighs oft hove His troubled Breast
To see You, 'mid such Blessings, so unblest!
To see You thus the World's and Satan's Slaves,
With loads of Guilt all hurrying to your Graves—
Each moment subject to your Maker's call
To leave, for ever, this enamouring Ball;
When Life no more shall feel one moment lent
To seek your Spirit's Ransom, or, repent!
When full Accounts must, faithfully, declare
All Talents' use committed to Your care;
And how those bounteous Loans were all bestow'd,
While wandering o'er Life's sublunary Road!
He inly mourn'd to mark Your Lives devoid
Of all pursuits but Passion—Lust—and Pride;
And grieved to note your Time—your Pow'r—your Pelf—
Fully consum'd on that frail Idol—Self—
None spent on Penury, ev'n at Heaven's call,
Nor for His glory, who first gave You all;
Or scanty doles, by dread of scandal driv'n,
If more enlarg'd, all for Self-glory giv'n.
Within the labouring breast, while Anger work'd—
He'd ne'er his Peace, and richer Hopes, resign,
For all your Wit and Wealth—your Show and Shine;
Nor wish like Riches—Honours—Place—or Pow'r;
Unless God's Grace would bless each bounteous Dow'r,
By shaping both his Heart, and Will, to share
Those blessings with the Broods of Toil and Care—
For God, and gracious Conscience, must condemn
Such Pomp and Luxury whilst neglecting Them!
His Heart ne'er hanker'd after Fame, or Wealth,
To risque Heav'n's better blessings, Peace and Health;
Nor could his Conscience covet Pow'r, or Place,
Gay Pomp—and Pride, and Lust, with loss of Grace;
Or to seek to purchase, at such countless price,
Such negatives as Vanity, and Vice;
With all the Folly—Falshood—Flattery—found
To cheat the Soul, on such enchanted Ground;
The Troubles—Cares—Anxieties—of Mind,
The frantic Votaries, of those Idols, find;
That, in the present State, all peace destroy,
And banish all just hopes of heavenly Joy:
Ah! no—pure Pity struck his aching Heart,
Beholding You perform your frantic Part;
And swelling sighs oft hove His troubled Breast
To see You, 'mid such Blessings, so unblest!
To see You thus the World's and Satan's Slaves,
With loads of Guilt all hurrying to your Graves—
Each moment subject to your Maker's call
To leave, for ever, this enamouring Ball;
When Life no more shall feel one moment lent
To seek your Spirit's Ransom, or, repent!
When full Accounts must, faithfully, declare
All Talents' use committed to Your care;
And how those bounteous Loans were all bestow'd,
While wandering o'er Life's sublunary Road!
He inly mourn'd to mark Your Lives devoid
Of all pursuits but Passion—Lust—and Pride;
And grieved to note your Time—your Pow'r—your Pelf—
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None spent on Penury, ev'n at Heaven's call,
Nor for His glory, who first gave You all;
Or scanty doles, by dread of scandal driv'n,
If more enlarg'd, all for Self-glory giv'n.
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CHAPTER 17th.
The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse | |