SECTION VII.

THE ROSE.

How fair is the rose! what a beautiful flow'r!
In summer so fragrant and gay!

But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour,
And they wither and die in a day.

Yet the rose has one pow'rful virtue to boast,
Above all the flow'rs of the field:

When its leaves are all dead, and fine colours lost,
Still how sweet a perfume it will yield!

So frail is the youth, and the beauty of man, Tho' they bloom and look gay like the rose; For all our fond care to preserve them is vain ; Time kills them as fast as he goes.

Then I'll not be proud of my youth or my beauty,
Since both of them wither and fade :

But gain a good name by performing my duty;
This will scent like a rose, when I'm dead.

SECTION VIII.

WATTS.

THE ANTS.

THESE emmets, how little they are in our eyes! We tread them to dust, and a troop of them dies, Without our regard or concern :

Yet as wise as we are, if we went to their school,
There's many a sluggard, and many a fool,

Some lessons of wisdom might learn.

They don't wear their time out in sleeping or play,
But gather up corn in a sun-shiny day,

And for winter they lay up their stores :

They manage their work in such regular forms, One would think they foresaw all the frosts and the storms;

And so brought their food within doors.

But I have less sense than a poor creeping ant,
If I take not due care for the things I shall want,
Nor provide against dangers in time.

When death or old age shall stare in my face,
What a wretch shall I be in the end of my days,
If I trifle away all their prime !

Now, now, while my strength and my youth are in bloom,

Let me think what will serve me when sickness shall

come,

And pray that my sins are forgiv❜n :

Let me read in good books, and believe and obey, That, when death turns me out of this cottage of clay, I may dwell in a palace in Heav'n.

WATTS.

SECTION IX.

A MORNING HYMN.

My God, who makes the sun to know
His proper hour to rise,

And to give light to all below,

Does send him round the skies.

When from the chambers of the east
His morning race begins,

He never tires, nor stops to rest ;
But round the world he shines.

So like the sun would I fulfil
The bus'ness of the day;
Begin my work by times, and still
March on my heav'nly way.

Give me, O Lord, thy early grace,
Nor let my soul complain,

That the young morning of my days

Has all been spent in vain.

SECTION X.

AN EVENING HYMN.

AND now another day is gone,

I'll sing my Maker's praise :

My comforts ev'ry hour make known,
His providence and grace.

WATTS.

But how my childhood runs to waste!
My sins, how great their sum!
Lord! give me pardon for the past,
And strength for days to come.

I lay my body down to sleep;
Let angels guard my head,
And thro' the hours of darkness keep
Their watch around my bed.

With cheerful heart I close my eyes,
Since God will not remove;
And in the morning let me rise,
Rejoicing in his love.

SECTION XI.

THE HAPPY CHOICE.

Beset with snares on ev'ry hand,
In life's uncertain path I stand:
Father Divine! diffuse thy light,
To guard my doubtful footsteps right.

Engage this frail and wav'ring heart,
Wisely to choose the better part;
To scorn the trifles of a day,
For joys that never fade away.

Then let the wildest storms arise;
Let tempest mingle earth and skies;
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear;
But all my treasures with me bear

WATTS

If thou, my father! still art nigh,
Cheerful I live, and peaceful die,
Secure when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.

DODDRID GE.

SECTION XII.

THE FALL OF THE LEAF.

SEE the leaves around us falling,
Dry and wither'd to the ground:
Thus to thoughtless mortals calling,
In a sad and solemn sound:

Sons of Adam, (once in Eden,
When like us he blighted fell,)
Hear the lecture we are reading,
"Tis, alas! the truth we tell.

Virgins, much, too much presuming
On your boasted white and red;
View us late in beauty blooming,
Number'd now among the dead.

Youths, tho' yet no losses grieve you,
Gay in health, and many a grace;
Let not cloudless skies deceive you;
Summer gives to autumn place.

Yearly in our course returning,
Messengers of shortest stay;
Thus we preach this truth concerning,
Heav'n and earth shall pass away.