DESPONDENCY. An Ode. Oppress'd with grief, oppress’d with care, I set me down and sigh; To wretches, such as I! What sick’ning scenes appear ! Must be my bitter doom; But with the closing tomb ! Happy ye sons of busy-life, No other view regard ! They bring their own reward: Whilst I, a hope-abandon’d wight, Unfitted with an aim, Forget each grief and pain ; Find ev'ry prospect vain. How blest the solitary's lot, Within his humble cell, Beside his chrystal well ! By unfrequented stream, His thoughts to heav'n on high, As wand'ring, meand'ring, He views the solemn sky. Than I, no lonely hermit plac’d Less fit to play the part; With self-respecting art: But ah! those pleasures, loves, and joys, Which I too keenly taste, Or human love or hate, At perfidy ingrate! Oh! enviable, early days, To care, to guilt unknown! Of others, or my own! Like linnets in the bush, That active man engage! Of dim-declining Age! THE TRIALS OF VIRTUE. Plac'd on the verge of youtlı, my mind Life's opening scene survey'd : I view'd its ills of various kind, Afflicted and afraid. But chief my fear the dangers mov’d, That virtue's path inclose : But O, what toils oppose ! For see, ah! see, while yet her ways With doubtful step I tread, lis snares delusive spread. 0! how shall I, with heart preparid, Those terrors learn to meet? llow from the thousand snares to guare! My unexperienc'd feet? As thus I mus’d oppressive sleep Soft o'er my temples drew Oblivion's veil. The watry deep, An ohject strange and new. Before me rose : on the wide shore Observant as I stood, And heave the boiling flood. Near and more near the billows rise; Ev'n now my steps they lave ; And death to my affrighted eyes Approach'd in every wave. What hope, or whither to retreat? Each nerve at once unstrung, Chill fear had fetter'd fast my feet, And chain'd my speechless tongue. I feel my heart within me die; When sudden to my ear, Reprov'd my erring fear: “ What tho' the swelling surge thou see Impatient to devour? “ Rest, mortal, rest on God's decree, “ And thankful own his pow'r. «« Know, when be bade the deep appear, “ Thus far," th' Almighty said, “ Thus far, nor farther, rage; and here “ Let thy proud waves be stay'd.” |