LIFE AND DEATH. There is a life of guilty joy, Hast thou not tried the earthly?-say Are not its pleasures for a day? Its splendours vanishing away? O try the Lord and prove him! He vails his face, but not in wrath; No eye hath seen the glorious path, The things thy Heavenly Father hath Let earthly things arrest thee not :- And power to gain that blessed lot Seek not on earth thy Paradise ;— Its hopes are vain-its friendship flies; And O! for thee prepared there is A Paradise in Heaven! CHRISTIANUS LAICUS. TO A LADY, With King's "Hymns to the Divine Being." This little book of hymns divine, Where truth and sweetness blend, To blooming Anna I consign, The present of a friend. And may some beam of heavenly light Illuminate the theme, And in her youthful breast excite Pure love to the Supreme. To guide thy steps in wisdom's ways, I seek thy nobler powers to raise, And elevate thy mind Buoyant above the world's low cares, From vice's fascinating snares, To guard thy pilgrimage, Hast thou not seen the beauteous flower Its summer tints display? Ah! tints within one little hour Predestin❜d to decay! The charms that dazzle in the face Of Albion's fairest maid, The hue of health, the form of grace, Too like that flower shall fade. With scrutinizing eye survey Gay fashion's giddy round, And midst her wheel of mirth oh! say, Can happiness be found? The rout, the ball, the masquerade, The opera and the play, To dissipate dull time were made And stea! the hours away. To Zion's harmony divine, Devote the tuneful lyre, And let her sacred songs combine To wake celestial fire, And let a dying Saviours throes (Mindful for whom he bore those woes,) In hymns of joy and praise. Should sorrow's tempests hem thee round, (For sorrow will assail E'en breasts like thine, tho' gentlest found And turn health's roses pale ;) Religion rob'd in heaven's own light Will take an Angel's form, Instant dispel the gather'd night, And bear thee thro' the storm. And when the trumpets last dread sound The Universe shall shake, |