DEATH. CEASE, Fool, to mourn life's little span, And hush that impious cry, For what an abject thing were man, If he were ne'er to die. Yet grant thee all thy soul's desire, A free, immortal state; Soon immortality would tire, And thou would'st curse thy fate : Wealth, honours, all the world can give, And soft, luxurious ease, The charms for which men crave to live, Would lose their pow'r to please. But Death, tho' harsh to worldly ears, To misery and to me, Sounds like the musick of the spheres, Celestial harmony! It mingles in one common clay, Th' oppressor and th' opprest; It wipes the tears of grief away, It bids the trembling miser part It quite unnerves the warrior's arm, Its voice unbars the prison-door, It conquers woe, disease, and pain, And from a sorrowing world like this, And fortune's with'ring frown, It leads to everlasting bliss, To conquest and a crown. Then cease to mourn life's little span, For what an abject thing were man, WRITTEN FOR A DYING FRIEND. EAT the bread, and drink the wine, Is thy soul with fears distress'd? Come, all sinful as thou art, Lord! while low in pray'r we bend, And touch the soul with living fire. HYMN. BE Jehovah's name ador'd, For abundant mercies giv'n; Sing we praises to the Lord, Glory to the King of Heav'n! From his sapphire throne on high, He hath heard a mother's cry, And hath stretch'd his arm to spare! Winter, stern, relentless pow'r, Promis'd thee an early tomb; Spring restores with sun and show'r, Thine, and nature's tender bloom : From thy fragile form hath driv'n And hath sent, with wings from heav'n, Mark the weak and palsied limb By degrees its strength resume; And those eyes, so sickly dim, Quick their wonted fires illume: See those cheeks, with hope elate, For thy Father's saving grace, In his holy dwelling place, Hour by hour, and day by day. "Tis a glimpse of transports higher Thou in happier realms shalt know; Less than this can He require? Less than this canst thou bestow? Be Jehovah's name ador'd For abundant mercies giv'n; Sing we praises to the Lord, Glory to the King of Heav'n! X |