XXXII.

And Sin still reigns supreme; one deadly sin Whence all foul deeds arise, is found in all; One root of evil-that dark plague within, Man's common birthright ever since man's fall, To those who know it an embitter'd gall Which while the body lasts will leave its stain, To those who know it not, (whate'er they call Their thraldom,-be it pleasure, be it pain,) The law of sin and death, and hell's eternal chain.

XXXIII.

Alienation of the heart from God:

This is the bitter spring whence bitters go;
This is the curse which the avenging rod
Must cleanse; the never failing source of woe
Whence crime and misery and death still flow
On man's devoted race; however shewn,
Whatever be the bait the Tempter throw,

The careless laugh or the desponding groan
Mark equally the good Creator still unknown.

D

XXXIV.

Alienation of the heart: from Him

Who form'd it for His service; who but spoke
And man was made. Oh blackness to the brim!
Scarce had the creature from the dust awoke
Ere with ingratitude it turn'd, and broke
The law for which it liv'd. The deluge came
To cleanse the guilty earth: the mighty stroke
Was ineffectual; 'tis still the same.-

Another judgment comes; destruction's final flame

XXXV.

Must sweep it from creation. Dreadful fate!
Who may abide its horrors? who may shun
The wreck of melting elements? Too late

Will be the cry for mercy: it is done;
The ark of safety opens then to none:
Unheard, unheeded is the fruitless call

Amid the crash of nature: fades the sun;

The hills and rocks convuls'd, in masses fall And fire eternal wreaths around earth's fated ball.

;

XXXVI

Oh passing horror! desolated scene!

Floats there no ark above the whelming wave?
Will no strong arm of mercy intervene ?

Will none come forth from Heaven's height to save?

Ah no! it is not when the billows rave

That safety must be sought for. High above, The few who wise in time, dared not to brave God's awful warnings, now securely rove, Borne upwards in the ark of everlasting love.

XXXVII.

That ark is building now: nay more, 'tis built ; And they whom Mercy warns may enter there While earth fills up the measure of her guilt. Turn then ere yet the arm of God be bare : Turn, turn ye careless ones, nor madly dare Omnipotence. Come while there yet is room And rest ye now in safety. Will they care For such a warning? will they shun their doom And leave at length the paths of everlasting gloom?

XXXVIII.

Look round thee for the answer. Mercy spurn'd

Must cede to Justice.-O Thou holy One,

By whom alone the wand'ring heart is turn'd To piety and peace! teach me to shun Thine anger ere the sand of life be run: Give me the heart to ponder nature's lore And read of Thee in all that Thou hast done; In all of Thine which I may wander o'er Thy presence still to know, acknowledge, and adore.

XXXIX.

The pilgrimage of earth may yet be mine
Thro' many changing seasons: fleeting Spring
Will leave her incense upon Nature's shrine
And pass away, and summer's breeze will bring
The sweets of other flowers on its wing;

But other lands will be around me then,

And Nature's distant charms my muse must sing; While in life's shifting scenes this peaceful glen

My wand'ring eyes perchance may never meet again.

XL.

But THOU art ever near me; still around

My varied path: if o'er the wave I ride
Thy footsteps on the heaving waves are found;
If through the forest-track I wander wide,
Thy gracious providence is there to guide.
Safe in the care of an almighty Friend

Give me the humble heart which will confide

Its way to thee, and know where'er it wend, Thy light, thy power, thy grace, thy goodness, still extend.

XLI.

So shall the book of Nature rightly read
By Contemplation's lamp, afford delight
And true instruction; pondered without dread,
Since ev'ry page more clearly brings to sight
Thine attributes of wisdom and of might
With love and mercy join'd. Be Thou the ray
Of glory shining through the shades of night,
Then earth affords a heaven directed way

And leads from things of time to an eternal day.