BENEFITS OF AFFLICTION The path of sorrow, and that path alone, But he, who knew what human hearts would prove, Called for a cloud to darken all their years, And said, Go, spend them in the vale of tears.' O salutary streams that murmur there! But ills of every shape and every name, Transformed to blessing, miss their cruel aim; And every moment's calm that soothes the breast, Is given in earnest of eternal rest. Ah, be not sad, although thy lot be cast Far from the flock, and in a boundless waste! THE CASTAWAY. Obscurest night involved the sky, No braver chief could Albion boast, Nor ever ship left Albion's coast With warmer wishes sent: He loved them both, but both in vain, Not long beneath the whelming brin Nor soon he felt his strength decline, But waged with death a lasting strife, He shouted: nor his friends had faile They left their outcast mate behind, Some succour yet they could afford; The cask, the coop, the floated cord, Delayed not to bestow. But he, they knew, nor ship nor shore, Nor, cruel as it seemed, could he He long survives, who lives an hour And so long he, with unspent power, And ever as the minutes flew, Entreated help, or cried—“ Adieu!" |