University of Virginia Library

Athwart the North, impenetrable skreens
Exclude from searching eyes the distant scenes;
But, like a friendly fence, still interpose,
When Winter arms its arrowy hosts of foes;
Presenting to the storms their sheltering shields,
While wounding darts o'er-whelm Woods, Hills, and Fields—
Yet Fancy's pinions, and far-piercing sight,
Burst thro' the boundary, or o'ertop the height,
With picturing pow'rs to shape, in obvious view,
Imaginary scenes, for ever new;
In fairer forms, and brighter beauties, dress'd,
Than Nature's hand, and pencil, e'er express'd.
Thus, thick-wove curtains Providence suspends,
O'er future prospects, for important ends,
Lest discontented Man's unhallow'd Race
Should strive a dark futurity to trace;
Or grope, to search out secret views, in vain;
And, while he sought for pleasure seize on pain—
Should hope true bliss by wicked schemes to win;
Rob honey'd hives, yet 'scape the stings of sin;
And, fancying here Heav'n's happiness to find,
Leave real bliss, in Reason's reach, behind!
Oft wayward Minds substantial blessings miss,
In ideal hunt, to catch ideal bliss!
Spurn real raptures Heav'n's blest bounty yields,
To build on fogs, or traverse viewless fields!
Of self-wrought plans, and poor atchievements, proud,
While grasping at a Goddess, clasp a Cloud!
Pursuing, eager, still, tho' still betray'd,
Oft shun the substance to embrace the shade!
How much more wise to stop Fool's frantic strife,
And tread the obvious tracks of solid Life!
The genuine joys improve, and transports, blest,
That boast of Reason, and of Heav'n's behest—
Imploring Christ to cast each earthly lot,
In princely palace, or in cribbing cot—
Give Dives' dainty feast, and flaunting dress,
Or Lazarus' rags, and sores, and mammockt mess—
Still, midst all Earth's enjoyments, looking high'r,
With Faith, Hope, Love, enlarg'd, and pure Desire;
Whate'er His boundless Goodness deigns to give,
With humble, heartfelt thankfulness to live;
And when His Wisdom, Goodness, Love—denies,
Weigh Man's demerits, and acquit the Skies!
Repose full trust in His last, best, decree;
Thence feel Affection, Will, and Conscience, free!
View Christ, reveal'd—unravel Heav'n's pure plan—
His promises the safe support of Man!
Like anchors cast within the holy vail,
Firm flukes of Hope ne'er suffering Faith to fail—
Confiding, still, His Wisdom, Love, and Pow'r,
Will shape Life's course, and fix its final hour!
See Goodness give, or heavenly Love withold,
Earth's vaunted lands, or loans of envied gold—
Fame—Influence—Honour—Life's continued length—
Proud attributes of Beauty—Health—and Strength—
Discriminating head, and heart, to feel
A Fellow-sinner's interest, want, or weal—
The Soul of Genius, Judgment, Wit, or Taste—
Which, all who hold must answer, wear, or waste!
All stewards, to account for temporal trust,
By Prudence parcell'd, or abus'd by Lust:
And, tho' poor Poet's bear small boast, or blame,
For spoil, or spending, Influence, Wealth, or Fame;
Yet, to their lot, while health-strength life, belong,
Pathetic pow'rs of Prose, or suasive Song;
That health-strength, Life's probationary hours,
Those privileges, high!—acquireless pow'rs!
Awak'd by Gratitude, inspir'd by Love,
Should bless the Spring that pour'd them from above.
And, next to Heav'n, all thanks and praise beyond!
The bosom Partner, faithful, fair, and fond!
Their duteous Offspring—Parents—filial Race,
Should Sympathy's pure sentiments embrace—
To these Friends—Neighbours—King, and Country join,
Tho' unpossess'd of Acre—Cott—or Coin!

Hail! ye lov'd Landscapes! hail, each Height, so fair!
Where, first, my Friend inhaled the vital Air!
Proclaim'd Life's woes, with agonizing cry,
And view'd the light with weak, and wavering, eye.
From dear maternal fountains drank his fill;
Tho' now not flowing, fondly loves them, still!
Whose honest Heart, beneath, beat high, or low,
As his was swell'd with joy, or shrunk with woe!
Maintain'd in motion, long, by God's regard,
To prove Man's Duty, kept, meets kind reward!
Not left by Providence, and Friends, forlorn,
The prey of pain, want, sickness, grief, or scorn!
Not weakly loathing Life, or fearing Fate,
But, trusting, still, to find triumphant State!