CXV. 1. Blinded in YOUTH by Satan's arts, 2. So in the desert's dreary waste, Castles, and groves, and music sweet, 3. But while he listens with surprise, The charm dissolves, the vision dies, "Twas but enchanted ground: Thus if the Lord our spirit touch, The world, which promis'd us so much, A wilderness is found. 4. At first we start, and feel distress'd, Convinc'd we never can have rest In such a wretched place; But he whose mercy breaks the charm, And bids us seek his face. 5. Then we begin to live indeed, We follow him from day to day, CXVI. 1, Thankless for favours from on high, 2. But he not wise enough to scan Would gladly stretch life's little span 3. To ages in a world of pain To ages where he goes Gall'd by affliction's heavy chain, And hopeless of repose! A 4. Strange fondness of the human heart Enamour'd of its harm! Strange World that costs it so much smart, And still has pow'r to charm. 5. He lives, who lives to God alone; For other source than God is none CXVII. 1. Like crowded forest trees we stand, 2. Green as the bay-tree ever green With its new foliage on, The gay, the thoughtless, I have seen, I pass'd-and they were gone. 3. Read, ye that run! the solemn truth Taught by the sacred page; A worm is in the bud of Youth And at the root of Age. CXVIII. 1. He who sits from day to day, Publishing to all aloud Soon the GRAVE must be your home, 2. But the monitory strain, Wins no notice, wakes no fears. Hear it often as we may; New as ever seem our sins, Though committed every day. 3. Death and Judgment, Heaven and HellThese alone, so often heard, No more move us than the bell When some stranger is interr'd: Oh then, ere the turf or tomb Make us learn that we must die! CXIX. 1. My thoughts, that oft ascend the skies, Go, search the world beneath, Where nature all in ruin lies, And owns her sov'reign, DEATH! 2. The tyrant, how he triumphs here! 3. Soon must we leave the banks of Life, 4. Soon shall some friend let fall the tear On our cold limbs, and say, "These once were strong as mine appear, "And mine must be as they !" |