Stranger, go! Heav'n be thy guide! Quod the Beadsman of Nith side. A PRAYER, UNDER THE PRESSURE OF VIOLENT ANGUISH. O THOU, great Being! what thou art Yet sure I am, that known to Thee Thy creature here before Thee stands, Sure Thou, Almighty, canst not act But if I must afflicted be, To suit some wise design; A PRAYER, IN THE PROSPECT OF DEATH. I. Ο THOU, unknown, Almighty Cause Of all my hope and fear! In whose dread presence, ere an hour, Perhaps I must appear! II. If I have wander'd in those paths As something, loudly in my breast, Remonstrates I have done; III. Thou know'st that Thou hast formed me With passions wild and strong; And list'ning to their witching voice Has often led me wrong. IV. Where human weakness has come short, Or frailty stept aside, Do Thou, All-Good! for such Thou art, In shades of darkness hide. V. Where with intention I have err'd, No other plea I have, But, Thou art good; and goodness still Delighteth to forgive. STANZAS ON THE SAME OCCASION. I. WHY am I loth to leave this earthly scene? Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode? Fain would I say, "Forgive my foul offence!" Again exalt the brute and sink the man; III. 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, the tumult of the raging sea? With that controlling pow'r assist ev'n me, Those headlong, For all unfit I feel my powers to be, confine; To rule their torrent in th' allowed line; VERSES, LEFT, BY THE AUTHOR, AT A REVEREND FRIEND'S HOUSE, IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT. I. Ο τμου, dread Pow'r, who reign'st above; When for this scene of peace and love, I make my pray'r sincere II. 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. III. She, who her lovely offspring eyes IV. Their hope, their stay, their darling youth, V. The beauteous, seraph sister-band, Thou knowest the snares on ev'ry hand, When soon or late they reace that coast, O'er life's rough ocean driv'n, May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost, A family in heav'n! A GRACE BEFORE DINNER. O THOU, who kindly dost provide And if it please thee heavenly Guide, Lord, bless us with content! Amen. 6 |