But the monitory strain, Oft repeated in your ears, Seems to sound too much in vain, Wins no notice, wakes no fears. Can a truth, by all confess'd Of such magnitude and weight, Grow, by being oft impress'd, Trivial as a parrot's prate? Pleasure's call attention wins, Hear it often as we may; New as ever seem our sins, Though committed every day. Death and judgement, heaven and hell These alone, so often heard, No more move us than the bell When some stranger is interr'd. O then, ere the turf or tomb Cover us from every eye, Spirit of instruction ! come, Make us learn that we must ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1792. Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, VIRG. THANKLESS for favours from on high, Man thinks he fades too soon; Though 'tis his privilege to die, Would he improve the boon. where he goes But he, not wise enough to scan His blest concerns aright, To ages, if he might; ages, And hopeless of repose. Enamour'd of its harm! 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 woe? The cause is Conscience :-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews ; And dread of death ensues. Then anxious to be longer spared Man mourns his fleeting breath : All evils then seem light compared With the approach of Death. 'Tis judgement shakes him; there's the fear That prompts the wish to stay: He has incurr'd a long arrear, And must despair to pay. Pay?—follow Christ, and all is paid; His death your peace ensures ; Think on the grave where he was laid, And calm descend to yours. 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, And all are dead beside; Whence life can be supplied. To live to God is to requite His love as best we may ; His promises our stay. Of giddy joys comprised, But rather death disguised. Can life in them deserve the name, Who only live to prove An endless life above ? Who, much diseased, yet nothing feel; Much menaced, nothing dread; Yet never ask his aid? Who deem his house a useless place, Faith, want of common sense ; And ardour in the Christian race, A hypocrite's pretence? Who trample order; and the day Which God asserts his own Dishonour with unhallow'd play, And worship chance alone ? If scorn of God's commands, impress’d On word and deed, imply With life that cannot die; Such want it, and that want, uncured Till man resigns his breath, Speaks him a criminal, assured Of everlasting death. Sad period to a pleasant course! Yet so will God repay cast away. |