Wright br

ELIZA'S TOMB

Barlow Sculp

Heaven gives us friends to bless the present state
Resumes them to prepare us for the next.

Published as the Act directs by J.Koach. Russell Court May 16.1792.

L. Johnson

EVENING REFLECTIONS

written in

WESTMINSTER ÅBBEY ;

to which are added

NIGHT

THOUGHTS

Among the Tombs,

by the Rev M. Moore of Cornwall, The GRAVE, by R.BLAIR, & GRAY'S ELEGY in a Country Church Yard;

with occasional Notes & Illustrations.

The Fourth Edition with additions

by the Author

man at his bes
albgether vanity.

Dust the art Kunto Dust
theu must return

memento mori

Earth's highest station ends in Mere he lies.

LONDON.

Printed by and for J.Roach Rufrell Court Drury Lane 1792.
Price Six-pence.

K

EVENING REFLECTIONS.

WRITTEN IN

WESTMINSTER ABBEY. ·

THE following Reflections, fuggefted by a contemplative walk among the Monuments in WESTMINSTER ABBEY, as they hold out leffons of moment and importance to men in general, are worthy the remembrance and regard of all. G. W.

We read their monuments; we figh; and while.,
We figh we fink, and are what we deplor'd,
Lamenting or lamented, all our lot, Dr. Young.

I.

HAIL, facred Fane! amidst whofe ftately thrines, Her conftant vigils, Melancholy keeps *;

(Whilft on her arm her grief-worn cheek reclines) And o'er the fpoils of human grandeur weeps.

The long drawn aifles and penfive vaults of this venerable pile of gothic magnificence, diffufe over the mind a pleafing melancholy; while the eye is on every fide attracted by the ftoried urn and animated buft, which commemorate the virtues of the monarch, the abilities of the ftatefman, or the atchievements of the hero.

II.

Hail, ancient Edifice! thine aifles along,
In contemplation wrapt, now let me ftray;
And ftealing from the idly-bufy throng,
Devoutly meditate the moral lay.

III.

What pleafing fadnefs fills my thoughtful breast
Whene'er my fteps these gloomy manfions trace
Where, in their fumpt'ous tombs, in filence rest,
The honour'd afhes of the British race.

IV.

Here terminate ambition's airy schemes †,
befyren pleafure here allures no more ;
Here grov'ling av'rice drops her golden dreams,
And life's fantaftic trifles all are o'er.

M

* Walks among the tombs, effecially in an ancient Abbey, aturally tend to fuggeft reflections of a pleasant melancholy ure, truly interefting, ufeful, and inftructive.

+ Hitherto mayft thou go, but no farther, and here fhall thy proud waves be ftay'd. JOB XXXviii. 11.

No