Or his, who touched their hearts with hallowed fires? If Interest move thee, to persuade e’en thee; 660 665 By joys possessed, and joys still held in chase, If dear society be worth a thought, 670 And if the feast of freedom cloy thee not, Reflect that these, and all that seems thine own, Remain with thee, or leave thee at his word; 675 That gratitude and temperance in our use 680 And though resolved to risk them, and swim down Marked with the signature and stamp of Heaven, 685 Which make that Heaven, if thou desire it, thine (Awful alternative! believed, beloved, Thy glory, and thy shame if unimproved) Are never long vouchsafed, if pushed aside 690 With cold disgust or philosophic pride; A world is up in arms, and thou, a spot Not quickly found, if negligently sought, 695 Endurest the brunt, and darest defy them all; 700 But if He leave thee, though the skill and power Of nations, sworn to spoil thee and devour, Were all collected in thy single arm, And thou couldst laugh away the fear of harm, 705 That strength would fail, opposed against the push Say not (and if the thought of such defence Should spring within thy bosom, drive it thence) 710 715 720 Through the dry leaves, and pants upon the strings, My soul shall sigh in secret, and lament A nation scourged, yet tardy to repent. I know the warning song is sung in vain, That few will hear, and fewer heed the strain, 725 But if a sweeter voice, and one designed Reclaim the wandering thousands, and bring home 730 Shall be my chosen theme, my glory to the last. HOPE. doceas iter, et sacra ostia pandas.'-VIRG. Æn. vi. 109. [ARGUMENT:-Views of human life, 1-Nature always the same, though seeming different in youth and age, 27-Frivolity of fashionable life, 75-Value of life, 115-God's attributes known from His works, 133-Nature the handmaid of Grace, 145—Character of Hope, 152— Corruption of human nature, 179-Shown at different periods of life, 197-Honours paid to the dead, 260—Each man's belief right in his own eyes, 276-Only one way right, 302—Men disdain the terms on which God offers eternal life, 322-Vague ideas on this subject, 357Spread of the Gospel, 439-The Moravian missions to Greenland, 465— Contrast of unconverted and converted heathen, 495-Whitefield, 554The man of pleasure the greatest of bigots, 594-Any hope preferred to that of the Gospel, 614—Apostrophe to Truth, 653-The sinner convicted, 674-Pardoned, 710-Works of truth imperishable, 742]. Ask what is human life-the sage replies, 5 ΙΟ So shifting and so various is the plan By which Heaven rules the mixed affairs of man; The rich grow poor, the poor become purse-proud; 15 20 The very sense of it foregoes its use, By repetition palled, by age obtuse. Through life's sad remnant, what no sighs restore; 25 Once thought of nothing, and now thinks in vain; 30 Whose prospect shows thee a disheartening waste; 35 'For lift thy palsied head, shake off the gloom That overhangs the borders of thy tomb, 40 sounds, 45 The yellow tilth, green meads, rocks, rising grounds, 50 Or pride can look at with indifferent eyes, All speak one language, all with one sweet voice Man feels the spur of passions and desires, 55 And she gives largely more than he requires; Not that his hours devoted all to Care, Hollow-eyed Abstinence, and lean Despair, The wretch may pine, while to his smell, taste, sight, She holds a Paradise of rich delight, 60 But gently to rebuke his awkward fear, To prove that what she gives she gives sincere, To banish hesitation, and proclaim His happiness, her dear, her only aim. 'Tis grave Philosophy's absurdest dream, 65 That Heaven's intentions are not what they seem, And earth has no reality but woe.' Thus things terrestrial wear a different hue, As youth or age persuades, and neither true; 70 So Flora's wreath through coloured crystal seen, 75 And just when evening turns the blue vault grey, Just when the larks, and when the shepherds, rise; So void of all utility or aim, That poor Jonquil, with almost every breath, 80 85 |