Rais'd, as ancient prophets were, Should be fung, and fung by me; GRATITUDE. THERE is not a more pleasing exercife of the mind, than gratitude. It is accompanied with fuch an inward fatisfaction, that the duty is fufficiently rewarded by the performance. It is not like the practice of many other virtues, difficult and painful, but attended with fo much pleasure, that were there no pofitive command which enjoined it, nor any recompence laid up for it hereafter, a generous mind would indulge in it for the natural gratification that accompanies it. If gratitude is due from man to man, how much more from man to to his Maker. The Supreme Being does not only confer upon us thofe bounties,, which proceed more immediately from his hand, but even those benefits which are conveyed to us by others. Every bleffing we enjoy, by what means foever it may be derived upon us, is the gift of him who is the great Author of Good, and Father of Mercies. WHEN thou haft done a kindness, or good office to any, be fure thou boast not of it It is the employment of a great foul, rather to do things worthy to be admired, than to admire what himself hath done. NOTHING but virtue is capable of making us happy; if other advantages contribute thereto in fome measure, it is only in as much as virtue bears them company. SUPINENESS and effeminacy have ruined more conftitutions, than ever were destroyed by exceffive labours. Moderate exercife, far from prejudicing, ftrengthens and confolidates the body. WE ought never to think too lightly of other people's complaints; but to regard the forrows of our fellow-creatures with fentiments of humanity and compaffion. MAN fhould weigh well the nature of himself, Or Or from a mattrefs, thrown upon the ground, The Hufbandman's Meditation in the Field. O'er breaking clods, the plough-fhare's way, And when with feed I ftrew the earth, Whofe breath inform'd and bade me live. Support its bearded honour's load; Thus, Lord! fuftain'd by thee, I came To manhood, thro' youth's dang'rous road. Purging from noxious herbs the grain, Oh! may I learn to purge my mind From fin, rank weed of deepest stain, Nor leave one baleful root behind. When blafts deftroy the op'ning ear, Life, thus replete with various woe, Prone to the reaper's fickle yields; INDULGENT God, whofe bounteous care O'er all thy works is fhewn, Oh! let my grateful praise and pray'r Afcend before thy throne. What mercies has this day bestow'd, How largely haft thou bleft, My cup with plenty overflow'd, And And with content my breast. I fall this night into thy arms, So blefs each future day and night, A little Ode to a little Maid, on her first going out after her Birth. LITTLE zephyrs, loves, and graces, Thro' her little path direct her, She ne'er ventur'd out before. Forth fhe comes, a new born creature, How her little blue eyes range! Wonder fits on every feature, All around is gay and strange. Couldst thou, little maid, but paint me, What thy little fancy warms, Or thy little tongue acquaint me 'Midft this glitter what most charms. To a ftranger all's inviting, All a morning beauty wears; Be Be the world, as now, delighting, Little maid will thee attend; As thy guardian, as thy friend. She had form'd thy youthful heart. -a tear! Thus felf-guarded, thus defended, Thy perfection's fenfe fhall tell; Oft this little ode reviewing, Little maid, I wish thee well. THE CHURCH-YARD THINK, oh my foul, that while friends or ftrangers are engaged on this fpot, and reading the date of my departure hence, thou wilt be fixed under a decifive and unchangeable sentence, rejoicing in the rewards of time well improved, or fuffering the forrows that shall attend the abuse of it, in an unknown world of happiness or mifery. MODESTY feldom refides in a breaft, that is not enriched with nobler virtues. MODESTY |