And make humanity the minister Of bounteous Providence. Contemplation. As yet 'tis midnight deep. The weary clouds, A Deity believ'd, is joy begun; Each branch of piety delight inspires: Faith builds a bridge from this world to the next, CHAP. II. NARRATIVA PINCES. SECTION I. The bears and the bees. 1 As two young bears in wanton mood, Alarm'd at this the little crew, 2 The beasts, unable to sustain Th' unequal combat, quit the plain : Half-blind with rage, and mad with pain, Their native shelter they regain; There sit, and now, discreeter grown, Too late their rashness they bemoan; And this by dear experience gain, That pleasure's ever bought with pain. 5 So when the gilded baits of vice, Are plac'd before our longing eyes, With greedy haste we snatch our fill, And swallow down the latent ill: But when experience opes our eyes, Away the fancied pleasure flies. It flies, but oh! too late we find, It leaves a real sting behind.-MERRICK. SECTION II. The nightingale and the glow-worm. 1 A nightingale that all day long The worm, aware of his intent, That you with music, I with light, And found a supper somewhere else. That brother should not war with brother, The gifts of nature and of grace. 4 Those Christians best deserve the name, Who studiously make peace their aim : Peace, both the duty and the prize Of him that creeps, and him that flies.-cowPER. SECTION III. The trials of virtue. 1 Plac'd on the verge of youth, my mind I view'd its ills of various kind, 2 But chief my fear the dangers mov'd My heart the wise pursuit approv'd; 3 For see, ah see! while yet her ways A hostile world its terrors raise, 4 O how shall I, with heart prepar'd, How, from the thousand snares to guard. 5 As thus I mus'd, oppressive sleep, Soft o'er my temples drew Oblivion's veil.-The wat'ry deep, (An object strange and new,) 6 Before me rose: on the wide shore The gathering storms around me roar, 7 Near and more near the billows rise; 8 What hope, or whither to retreat! 9 I felt my heart within me die; A voice, descending from on high, 10" What tho' the swelling surge thou see Impatient to devour; Rest, mortal, rest on God's decree, 11 Know, when he bade the deep appear, 'Thus far,' th' Almighty said, Thus far, no farther, rage; and here 'Let thy proud waves be stay'd.'” 12 I heard; and lo! at once controll'd, The waves, in wild retreat, Back on themselves reluctant roll'd, 13 Deeps, to assembling deeps, in vain The shores the rushing weight sustain, 14 Convine'd, in nature's volume wise, And sudden from my waking eyes, 15 Then why thus heavy, O my soul ! Thy thoughts with vain impatience" roll 16 Let faith suppress each rising fear, Each anxious doubt exclude: Thy Maker's will has plac'd thee here, 17 He to thy ev'ry trial knows, 18 Then why thus heavy, O my soul ! Thy thoughts with vain in patience roll 19 Tho' griefs unnumber'd throng thee round, Still in thy God confide, Whose finger marks the seas their bound, And curbs the headlong tide.-MERRICK. SECTION IV. ·The youth and the philosopher. 1 A Grecian youth, of talents rare, Would often boast his matchless skill, With graceful ease, and smack'd the thong, Was praise and transport to his breast. 2 At length, quite vain, he needs would show His master what his art could do ; And bade his slaves the chariot lead The trembling grove confess'd its fright; 3 Howe'er, the youth, with forward air, |