Occasional verse, moral and sacred Published for the instruction and amusement of the Candidly Serious and Religious [by Edward Perronet] |
Occasional verse, moral and sacred | ||
INDIFFERENCE OF DEATH, AS TO TIME
Secur'd the goal, what profits it to knowHow late we tarry, or how soon we go?
Time, heap'd on time, but multiplies our pain,
And prompts the loaded sufferer to complain.
With days our griefs, with years our sins return,
Fresh springs of sorrow, and fresh cause to mourn.
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That view thy calling, and secure its end;
Speed on for life, or rather speed to die;
Life is old age, and death its infancy:
That blunts the sense, while this the soul unsheaths;
That, born anew, a new existence breathes.
Cleans'd from the dregs of Time's impurer springs,
The looks with scorn on kingdoms and on kings;
Shaking her plumes, she spreads a nobler flight,
And wings at large th'unbounded realms of light;
Soars as she flies, till gain'd her prime abode,
She smiles with angels, and enthrones with god!
Occasional verse, moral and sacred | ||