University of Virginia Library

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325

THE RESIGNATION

(Supposed to be Written by the Unfortunate Chatterton Just Before he Took the Deadly Draught that Put a Period to his Existance)

Since dissapointment & dispair
The vainess of all hopes declare
Since toss'd upon this Restless main
I strive 'gainst wind & Waves in vain
The more I struggle for the shore
Misfortunes overwhelm the more
Then since I struggle to maintain
And strive alass—to live in vain
I'll hope no more—Since prov'd & try'd
The feeble light she once supply'd
Resembl'd but the tapers Ray
That only burns to dye away
—& leave me lost in endless night
(My follies but expos'd to sight)
—Then come misfortunes as ye will
Oppresions sink me lower still
Haste kind despair & urge my doom
And all that haunt the wretched come
Fate—from my heart all fears expunge
I stand resolv'd to take the plunge—

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326

—O thou Great being who resides
Far above where yon ether glides
Whose power almighty—'piercing eye
Marks all on Earth in Air & Sky
Who oft (such care we ought to praise)
The sand-grain call'd a World surveys
Nor deems unworthy of thy care
Vain Men as Worthless as we are
Who oft with liberal hands bestow
Thy guiding mercey here below
—& while our sins so multiply
Like Mountains heap'd before thee lye
—So loath—so tempted to chastize
And then to bless us in disguise
—To dissappoint our restless schemes
Our airy hopes and foolish dreams
Is but to prove the empty show
Of painted happiness below
—O thou that hears the wretched call
Thou Universal friend to all
I own thy goodness feel thy power
And humbl'd in this trying hour
Affecting as my troubles seem
I prove thy Mercy was extreem
But O thou Universal Lord
Some Shelter to the Wretch afford
Forgive the sin if sin it be
To sink beneath Adversity

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327

—Prest down—O God—thou knowest all
I am but mortal & must fall—