Strange fondness of the human heart, Strange world, that costs it so much smart, Whence has the world her magic power? Why deem we death a foe? Recoil from weary life's best hour, And covet longer woe? The cause is Conscience-Conscience oft Her tale of guilt renews: Then anxious to be longer spared, 'Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear That prompts the wish to stay: He has incurr'd a long arrear, Pay!-follow Christ, and all is paid; ON A SIMILAR OCCASION. FOR THE YEAR 1793. De sacris autem hæc sit una sententia, ut conserventur. CIC. DE LEG. But let us all concur in this one sentiment, that things sacred be inviolate. He lives who lives to God alone, And all are dead beside; For other source than God is none To live to God is to requite But life, within a narrow ring Is falsely named, and no such thing, Can life in them deserve the name, Who only live to prove For what poor toys they can disclaim Who much diseased, yet nothing feel; Who deem his house a useless place; Who trample order; and the day, If scorn of God's commands, impress'd The better part of man unbless'd Such want it; and that want uncured Sad period to a pleasant course! Yet so will God repay Sabbaths profaned without remorse, And mercy cast away. INSCRIPTION FOR A STONE ERECTED AT THE SOWING OF A GROVE OF OAKS AT CHILLINGTON, THE SEAT OF T. GIFFARD, ESQ. 1790. OTHER stones the era tell, When some feeble mortal fell; I stand here to date the birth Which shall longest brave the sky, I must moulder and decay; But the years that crumble me Spread its branch, dilate its size, Cherish honour, virtue, truth, Stone at heart, and cannot grow. LINES COMPOSED FOR A Memorial of Ashley Cowper, Esq. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH, BY HIS NEPHEW WILLIAM, OF WESTON. JUNE, 1788. FAREWELL! endued with all that could engage In life's last stage (O blessings rarely found!) Pleasant as youth with all its blossoms crown'd; Through every period of this changeful state Unchanged thyself-wise, good, affectionate! Marble may flatter; and lest this should seem O'ercharged with praises on so dear a theme, Although thy worth be more than half suppress'd, Love shall be satisfied, and veil the rest. H |