And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Th' unwearied sun from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display:
And publishes to ev'ry land,
The work of an Almighty hand.
Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wond'rous tale,
And, nightly to the list'ning earth,
Repeats the story of her birth,
Whilst all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
What though in solemn silence, all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid these radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."
THE IDLE BOY.
Thomas was an idle lad,
And lounged about all day;
And though he many a lesson had,
He minded nought but play.
He only cared for top or ball,
Or marbles, hoop and kite;
But as for learning, that was all
Neglected by him, quite. :
In vain his mother's kind advice,
In vain his master's care,
He followed ev'ry idle vice,
And learnt to curse and swear!
And think you when he grew a man,
He prospered in his ways?
No,-wicked courses never can
Bring good and happy days.
Without a shilling in his purse,
Or cot to call his own,
Poor Thomas grew from bad to worse,
And hardened as a stone.
And oh, it grieves me much to write
His melancholy end,
Then let us leave the dreadful sight,
And thoughts of pity send.
But may we this important truth,
Observe and ever hold,
"All those who're idle in their youth,
Will suffer when they're old."
Chapter LIII. Fifty-third.
The world, my dear Myra, is full of deceit,
And friendship's a jewel we seldom can meet ;
How strange does it seem that in searching around,
This source of delight is so rare to be found!
O FRIENDSHIP! thou balm and rich sweet'ner of life,
Kind parent of ease, and composer of strife;
Without Thee, alas! what are riches and power,
But empty delusion, the joys of an hour.
How much to be priz'd and esteem'd is a friend,
In whom we may always with safety depend.
Our joys, when extended, will always increase,
And grief, when divided, are hush'd into peace.
When fortune is smiling, whole crowds will appear,
Their kindness to offer, and friendship sincere;
Yet change but the prospect, and point out distress,
No longer to court you, they eagerly press.
Fair Science her gates to thy sons shalls of her star;
And the east see thy morn hidear'd shall soar
New bards and new Agestill time be no more;
To Fame unextinglüge of virtue designed,
To thee, the all nations, the best of mankind;
Shall, fly
Here,eful to Heaven, with transport shall bring,
The incense, more fragrant than odours of spring,
Nor less shall thy fair ones to glory ascend,
And genius and beauty in harmony blend;
The graces of form shall awake pure desire,
And the charms of the soul still enliven the fire:
The sweetness unmingled, their manners refin'd,
And Vue's bright image impress'd on the mind,
With peas and soft rapture shall teach life to glow,
And light up a smile in the bosom of woe.
Chapter LIV. Fifty-fourth.
Hail! sacred Peace, who claim'st thy bright abode
'Mid circling saints that grace the throne of God;
Ere morning stars his glowing chamers hung,
Or songs of gladness woke angel's tongue;
Veil'd in the bright of the Almighty's mind,
In blest repose thy placid form reclin'd;
Borne through the heaven, with his creating voice,
Thy presence bade the unfolding worlds rejoice,
Gave to seraphic harps their sound
Their joys to angels, and to men their pe.
Bring bounteous Peace, in thy celestial thro
Life to my soul, and rapture to my song;
Give me to trace with pure unclouded ray,
The arts and virtues that attend thy sway;
To see thy blissful charms that here descend,
Thro' distant realms and endless years extend
Father of light and life, Thou good supreme,
O teach me what is good! teach me thyself!
Save me from folly, vanity and vice:
From every low pursuit: and fill my soul
With Knowledge, conscious Peace, and Virtue pure,
Sacred. Substantial, never-fading bliss.
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