These charms success in our bright region find, Then know the truth of government divine, 'What strange events can strike with more surprise Than those which lately struck thy wondering eyes.? Yet, taught by these, confess the Almighty just, And, where you can't unriddle, learn to trust! 'The great, vain man, who fared on costly food, Whose life was too luxurious to be good; Who made his ivory stands with goblets shine, And forced his guests to morning draughts of wine, Has, with the cup, the graceless custom lost, And still he welcomes, but with less of cost. 'The mean, suspicious wretch, whose bolted door Ne'er moved in pity to the wandering poor; With him I left the cup, to teach his mind That Heaven can bless, if mortals will be kind. Conscious of wanting worth, he views the bowl, And feels compassion touch his grateful soul. Thus artists melt the sullen ore of lead, With heaping coals of fire upon its head; In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, 'Long had our pious friend in virtue trod, But now the child half-wean'd his heart from God; (Child of his age) for him he lived in pain, And measured back his steps to earth again. To what excesses had his dotage run! But God, to save the father, took the son. To all but thee, in fits he seem'd to go : (And 'twas my ministry to deal the blow) The poor fond parent, humbled in the dust, Now owns in tears the punishment was just. 'But now had all his fortune felt a wrack, Had that false servant sped in safety back; This night his treasured heaps he meant to steal, And what a fund of charity would fail! 'Thus Heaven instructs thy mind: this trial o'er, Depart in peace, resign, and sin no more.' On sounding pinions here the youth withdrew, The sage stood wondering as the seraph flew. Thus look'd Elisha, when, to mount on high, His master took the chariot of the sky; The fiery pomp ascending left the view; The prophet gazed, and wish'd to follow too. The bending Hermit here a prayer begun, 'Lord! as in heaven, on earth thy will be done!' Then gladly turning sought his ancient place, And pass'd a life of piety and peace. PIETY; OR, THE VISION. "TWAS when the night in silent sable fled, Straight as I gazed, my fear and wonder grew; Then while the warmth o'er all my pulses ran, 'Where glorious mansions are prepared above, The seats of music, and the seats of love, Thence I descend, and Piety my name, To warm thy bosom with celestial flame, How Damon courts, or Amaryllis shines; More lasting still, as more intensely great, Produced where prayer, and praise, and pleasure breathe, And ever mounting whence it shot beneath. With which behind the feather'd idol shines; To flowering greens give back their native care, To sweet Arabia send the balmy breath; Strip the fair flesh, and call the phantom, Death; 'But urge thy powers, thine utmost voice advance, Make the loud strings against thy fingers dance : 'Tis love that angels praise and men adore; 'Tis love divine that asks it all, and more. Fling back the gates of ever-blazing day, Pour floods of liquid light to gild the way; And, all in glory rapt, through paths untrod Pursue the great unseen descent of God: Hail the meek Virgin, bid the child appear, The child is God! and call him Jesus here. He comes; but where to rest? A manger's nigh; Fill the wide sky with angels on the wing, Placed on the right. He shows the wounds he bore, C |