STANZAS

ON THE

SAME OCCASION..

WHY
am I loth to leave this earthly scene ?*
Have I so found it full of pleasing charms?
Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between;
Some gleams of sunshine mid renewing storms,
Is it departing pangs my soul alarms ?

Or death's unlovely, dreary dark abode;
For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms:
I tremble to approach an angry God,
And justly smart beneath his sin-avenging rod.

Fain would I say, 'Forgive my foul offence!'
Fain promise never more to disobey;
But should my Author health again dispense,
Again I might desert fair Virtues way;
Again in Folly's path might go astray;

Again exalt the brute, and sink the man ; Then how should I for Heav'nly Mercy pray,

Who act so counter Heav'nly Mercy's plan? Who sin so oft have mourn'd, yet to temptation ran?

STANZAS ON THE SAME OCCASION.

O Thou, Great Governor of all below
If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee,
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow,
Or still the tumult of the raging sea:
With that controlling power assist even me,
Those headlong, furious passion's to confine;
For all unfit I feel my powers to be,

To rule their torrent in th' allowed line;

O, aid me with Thy help, Omnipotence Divine!

1

Lying at a Reverend Friend's House one Niglit, the Author left the following

VERSES,

IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT.

O Thou dread Pow'r, who reign'st above;

I know Thou wilt me hear:

When for this scene of

peace

I make my pray'r sincere.

II.

and love,

The hoary Sire-the mortal stroke,
Long, long, be pleas'd to spare;

To bless his little filial flock,

And show what good men are.

VERSES LEFT IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT.

III.

She, who her lovely offspring eyes

With tender hopes and fears,

O bless her with a Mother's joys,
But spare a Mother's tears!

IV.

Their hope, their stay, their darling youth,
In manhood's dawning blush;

Bless him, Thou God of love and truth,

Up to a parent's wish.

V.

The beauteous, seraph Sister band,

With earnest tears I pray,

Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand,

Guide Thou their steps alway.

VI.

When soon or late they reach that coast,

O'er life's rough ocean driv❜n,

May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost,

A family in Heav'n!

PRAYER

UNDER THE PRESSURE OF VIOLENT ANGUISH.

Thou great Being! what Thou art

Surpasses me to know :

Yet sure am,

that known to Thee

Are all Thy works below.

Thy creature here before Thee stands,

All wretched and distrest ;

Yet sure those ills that wring my soul
Obey Thy high behest.

Sure Thou, Almighty, canst not act
From cruelty or wrath!

O, free my weary eyes from tears,
Or close them fast in death!

But if I must afflicted be,

To suit some wise design;

Then, man my soul with firm resolves
To bear and not repine!