ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1792. Felir, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, VIRG. Happy the mortal, who has traced effects THANKLESS for favours from on high, But he, not wise enough to scan To ages, if he might. To ages in a world of pain, To ages, where he goes Gall'd by affliction's heavy chain, And hopeless of repose. Strange fondness of the human heart, - Enamour'd of its harm! Strange world, that costs it so much smart, And still has power to charm. Whence has the world her magic power? Why deem we death a foe? Recoil from weary life's best hour, And covet longer wo? The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews: Her voice is terrible though soft, Then, anxious to be longer spared, 'Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear, That prompts the wish to stay: He has incurr'd a long arrear, Pay!-follow Christ, and all is paid; ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1793. De sacris autem hæc sit una sententia, ut conserventur.-CIC. DE LEG. But let us all concur in this one sentiment, that things sacred be inviolate. HE lives, who lives to God alone, To live to God is to requite But life, within a narrow ring Is falsely named, and no such thing, Can life in them deserve the name, For what poor toys they can disclaim Who, much diseased, yet nothing feel; Have wounds, which only God can heal, Who deem his house a useless place, Who trample order; and the day, If scorn of God's commands, impress'd Such want it, and that want, uncured Sad period to a pleasant course! Sabbaths profaned without remorse, INSCRIPTION FOR THE TOMB OF MR. HAMILTON. PAUSE here, and think: a monitory rhyme Consult life's silent clock, thy bounding vein; And many a tomb, like Hamilton's, aloud |