The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse :: :: University of Virginia Library

Ah! would the hearts of energetic Youth,
Store their Mind's treasuries with important Truth—
With calm, but sedulous, attention, look
Thro' the blest plan of heav'n-dictated Book!
Weigh well each part with watchfulness and pray'rs,
To understand the truths that Tome declares—
Not meditate on Fortune—Chance—and Fate,
Nothings! that nought can rule, much less create!
But that inspir'd—pure—clear—and perfect Scheme,
Which drives, or dissipates each heathen dream!
Make the true bearings, in that blessed Chart,
Imprint the memory, and impress the heart!
From that eternal, that perspicuous, plan,
Deduce the End, and Happiness, of Man!
A clue to lead through labyrinths of doubt,
This dreary wilderness of woe, throughout!
Where wonderous facts with prophecies, combine,

To prove the plan, and doctrines, all divine!
While precepts, new, with promises, unite,
To teach the head, and yield the heart delight!
Like stars to lead them lest their steps might stray,
And draughts to chear them on their weary Way!

Thence pensive Crispin sketch'd his simple schemes,
His happiest prospects! most delightful themes!
Thence found that things, within this nether Sphere,
Must claim, in part, Man's time, and talents, here;
In part his mental, and corporeal, pow'rs,
But ne'er monopolize his Heart, or Hours!
Found all its truths to one pure purpose tend—
Shew'd Man's beginning—nature—use—and end.
Whose wonderous facts, and prophecies, receiv'd,
Its promises, and threatenings, both, believ'd;
And well its precepts, and behests obey'd,
His labours, bless'd—experiences, far o'er-pay'd;
For all were meant, by everlasting Love,
To yield pure peace below, and endless bliss above!

Crispinus found Heav'n's first command, in place,
Like all the rest, compriz'd the human Race;
And, sanction'd by the perfect Pow'rs, on high,
Stands thus express'd—“Increase and multiply.”
The same kind condescension taught him how—
To plight his troth to One, and keep his vow.
Taught him 'twas Nature's—Reason's—Heaven's, voice—
His first, chief, Parent had no other choice.

If Adam's Maker, when the childless Land
Lay waste, and subject to his sole command—
If He, whose Grace, and Goodness, knows no bound,
Had, by His full, and faultless, Wisdom, found
A proud plurality of Partners best,
His loving-kindness had the scheme caress'd:
But, as His Prescience view'd that plan revers'd,
The obvious demonstration proves it curst;
For all who Heav'n's most holy Word believe,
See Providence design'd no added Eve.