Page images
PDF
EPUB

C. Wright l

ELIZA'S TOMB

Barlow July.

Heaven gives us friends to bless the present state

Resumes them to prepare us for the next.

[ocr errors]

Published as as the Act directs by J.Roach. Russell Court May 16. 1792.

EVENING REFLECTIONS

written in

WESTMINSTER ABBEY ;

to which are added

NIGHT THOUGHTS

Among the Tombs,

d

by the Rev MMoore of Cornwall,
The GRAVE, by R.BLAIR,

& GRAY'S ELEGY in a Country Church Ward;

with occasional Notes & Illustrations.

Fourth Edition with addition

by the Author of Solitary

hman at his best

albgether vanity.

Dust the art Kunto Dyst

theu must return

memento mori

Earth's highest station ends in Mere he lies.

LONDON.

Printed by and for J.Roach Russell Court Drury Lane 1792.
Price Six-pence.

[blocks in formation]

EVENING

REFLECTIONS

WRITTEN IN

WESTMINSTER ABBEY. ·

THE following Reflections, fuggefted by a contemplative walk among the Monuments in WESTMINSTER ABBEY, as they hold out leffons of moment and importance to men in general, are worthy the remembrance and regard of all. G. W.

We read their monuments; we figh; and while,
We figh we fink, and are what we deplord ».
Lamenting or lamented, all our lot, Dr. YOUNG.

I.

AIL, facred Fane! amidst whofe ftately thrines,
Her conftant vigils, Melancholy keeps * ;

(Whilst on her arm her grief-worn cheek reclines)
And o'er the fpoils of human grandeur weeps.

The long drawn aifles and penfive vaults of this venerable pile of gothic magnificence, diffufe over the mind a pleafing melancholy; while the eye is on every fide attracted by the ftoried urn and animated buft, which commemorate the virtues of the monarch, the abilities of the Statefman, or the atchievements of the hero.

[blocks in formation]

II.

Hail, ancient Edifice! thine aifles along,
In contemplation wrapt, now let me ftray;
And ftealing from the idly-bufy throng,
Devoutly meditate the moral lay.

III.

What pleafing fadnefs fills my thoughtful breast
Whene'er my fteps these gloomy manfions trace
Where, in their fumpt'ous tombs, in filence rest,
The honour'd afhes of the British race.

IV.

Here terminate ambition's airy schemes †,
befyren pleafure here allures no more ;
Here grov'ling av'rice drops her golden dreams,
And life's fantaftic trifles all are o'er.

M

* Walks among the tombs, effecially in an ancient Abbey, aturally tend to fuggeft reflections of a pleasant melancholy ure, truly interefting, ufeful, and inftructive.

+ Hitherto mayft thou go, but no farther, and here fhall thy proud waves be ftay'd. JOB XXXviii. 11.

No

« EelmineJätka »