The scourge he let fall from his hand, With blood of his subjects imbrued. I saw him both sicken and die, And the moment the monster expir'd Heard shouts that ascended the sky From thousands with rapture inspir'd. Awaking, how could I but muse At what such a dream should betide? But soon my ear caught the glad news That Britannia, renown'd o'er the waves For the hatred she ever has shown To the black-sceptred rulers of slaves, Resolves to have none of her own. VERSES PRINTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE YEARLY BILL OF MORTALITY OF THE TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON, Dec. 21, 1787. Pallida Mors æquo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas Pale Death with equal foot strikes wide the door WHILE thirteen moons saw smoothly run All these, life's rambling journey done, Was man (frail always) made more frail Than in foregoing years? Did famine, or did plague prevail, That so much death appears? No; these were vigorous as their sires, Nor plague nor famine came; This annual tribute Death requires, And never waves his claim. Like crowded forest-trees we stand, The axe will smite at God's command, Green as the bay-tree, ever green, With its new foliage on, The gay, the thoughtless, have I seen; I pass'd--and they were gone. Read, ye that run, the awful truth With which I charge my page; A worm is in the bud of youth, And at the root of age. II. 2 E No present health can health insure For yet an hour to come; No med'cine, though it often cure, And oh! that (humble as my lot, These truths, though known, too much forgot, 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! *John Cox, Parish Clerk of Northampton. INSCRIPTION FOR THE TOMB OF MR. HAMILTON. PAUSE here, and think: a monitory rhime Consult Life's silent clock, thy bounding vein; Seems it to say-Health, here, has long to reign? Hast thou the vigour of thy youth? an eye That beams delight? an heart untaught to sigh?— Yet fear. Youth, ofttimes healthful and at ease, Anticipates a day it never sees, And many a tomb, like Hamilton's, aloud Exclaims, "Prepare thee for an early shroud!" |