The Amaranth :: :: University of Virginia Library

“Who walks with me” [rejoins the Voice]
“In purest day-light shall rejoice,
“Incapable to err, or fall.”
With thee I walk, my gracious God;
Long I've thy painful foot-steps trod,
Redeemer, Saviour, Friend of all !

II

Heav'n in my youth bestow'd each good
Of choicer sort: In fertile lands
A decent patrimony stood,
Sufficient for my just demands.
My form was pleasing; health refin'd
My blood; A deep-discerning mind

Crown'd all the rest;—The fav'rite child
Of un-affected eloquence,
Plain nature, un-scholastic sense—;
And once or twice the Muses smil'd!

III

Blest with each boon that simpler minds desire,
Till Heav'n grows weary of their nauseous pray'rs,
I made the nobler option to retire ,
And gave the world to worldlings and their heirs;
The warrior's laurels, and the statesman's fame,
The vain man's hopes for titles and employ,
The pomp of station, and the rich man's name,
I left for fools to seek, and knaves t'enjoy ;

An early whisper did its truths impart,
And all the God conceal'd irradiated my heart.

Imitation of Christ, Lib. I, C. i.

“Solitude is the best school wherein to learn the way to Heaven.” St. Jerom.

“Worldly honours are a trying snare to men of an exalted station; of course their chief care must be, to put themselves out of the reach of envy by humility.” Nepotian.

“The pleasures of this world are only the momentary comforts of the miserable, and not the rewards of the happy.” St. August.

Cætera solicitæ speciosa incommoda vitæ
Permisi stultis quærere, habere malis.
Couleius de Plant.