And O! that humble as my lot, And scorn'd as is my strain, These truths, though known, too much forgot, I may not teach in vain. So prays your clerk with all his heart, And ere he quits the pen, Begs you for once to take his part, And answer all-Amen! ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1788. Quod adest, memento Componere æquus. Cætera fluminis Ritu feruntur. HORACE. Improve the present hour, for all beside Is a mere feather on a torrent's tide, COULD I, from Heav'n inspir'd, as sure presage How each would trembling wait the mournful sheet, Time then would seem more precious than the joys, Then doubtless many a trifler, on the brink Ah self-deceiv'd! Could I prophetic say Observe the dappled foresters, how light Had we their wisdom, should we, often warn'd, Sad waste! for which no after-thrift atones. Learn then, ye living! by the mouths be taught ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, FOR THE YEAR 1789. -Placidaque ibi demum morte quievit. VIRG. There calm at length he breath'd his soul away. "O MOST delightful hour by man "Experienc'd here below, "The hour that terminates his span, "His folly, and his wo! "Worlds should not bribe me back to tread Again life's dreary waste, "To see again my day o'erspread Earth, seas, and sun adieu! "All Heav'n unfolded to my eyes, "I have no sight for you." So spake Aspasio, firm possess'd Then breathed his soul into it's rest He was a man among the few Sincere on virtue's side; And all his strength from Scripture drew To hourly use applied. That rule he priz'd, by that he fear'd, He hated, hop'd, and lov'd; But when his heart had rov'd. For he was frail, as thou or I, But, when he felt it, heav'd a sigh, Such liv'd Aspasio; and at last |