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 |
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| XIV.—THE HONOURABLE MAGISTRATE. |
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
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XIV.—THE HONOURABLE MAGISTRATE.
[There are a number of us creep]
Paraphrase.
There are a number of us creepInto this world, to eat and sleep;
And know no reason why they're born,
But merely to consume the corn,
Devour the cattle, fowl and fish,
And leave behind an empty dish:
The crows and ravens do the same,
Unlucky birds of hateful name;
Ravens or crows might fill their plae,
And swallow corn and carcases.
Then if their tomb-stone, when they die,
Ben't taught to flatter and to lie,
There's nothing better will be said,
Than that, ‘They've eat up all their bread,
‘Drank up their drink, and gone to bed.’
[Life's but a feast; and when we die]
Which may be thus put into English.
Life's but a feast; and when we die,Horace would say, if he were by,
‘Friend, thou hast eat and drank enough,
‘'Tis time now to be marching off:
‘Then like a well-fed guest depart,
‘With cheerful looks, and ease at heart;
‘Bid all your friends good-night, and say,
‘You've done the business of the day.’
[Deluded souls! that sacrifice]
Reflection.
Deluded souls! that sacrificeEternal hopes above the skies,
And pour their lives out all in waste,
To the vile idol of their taste!
The highest heav'n of their pursuit
Is to live equal with the brute:
Happy, if they could die as well,
Without a judge, without a hell!
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |