The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
 | IV. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
Seeking a divine Calm in a restless World.
O Mens, quæ stabili fata regis vice, &c.
Casimire, book iii. od 28.
I
Eternal mind, who rul'st the fatesOf dying realms, and rising states,
With one unchang'd decree,
While we admire thy vast affairs,
Say, can our little trifling cares,
Afford a smile to thee?
II
Thou scatterest honours, crowns and gold;We fly to seize, and fight to hold
The bubbles and the ore:
So emmets struggle for a grain;
So boys their petty wars maintain
For shells upon the shore.
445
III
Here a vain man his sceptre breaks,The next a broken sceptre takes,
And warriors win and lose;
This rolling world will never stand,
Plunder'd and snatch'd from hand to hand,
As power decays or grows.
IV
Earth's but an atom: Greedy swordsCarve it amongst a thousand lords,
And yet they can't agree:
Let greedy swords still fight and slay,
I can be poor; but, Lord, I pray
To sit and smile with thee.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |