Oh! sweet little captive, how sad is thy strain!
What is it can prompt thee like this to complain?
All these little murmurs I justly may chide,
For daily, thou knowest, thy wants are supplied.
Do the shady trees tempt thee to quit thy abode ?
Do the beauties of Nature invite thee abroad?
If instinct informs thee 'tis summer's bright day,
I then do not wonder that thou wouldst away.
But where, pretty captive, oh! where wouldst thou go,
When mountains and vallies are buried in snow, When groves are dismantled and cold the sun's beam,
And winter's chill breath binds each sweet gliding stream?
So pray be contented, my sweet little bird,
For I can assure thee thy fate is not hard;
Though nature's inviting in summer's gay form,
Know, that after the sunshine there follows the
Oh! when from those we hold most dear We're called by fate to part,
'Tis nature prompts the sorrowing tear, While anguish wounds the heart.
The sweet affections of the breast
To quench in vain we aim;
They grow too strong to be represt,
And heighten to a flame.
But who can break the chains of fate,
Or e'en their strength impair?
Who from the heart eradicate
What Heaven hath planted there?
And though from friends so dear we rove,
We only lose their sight; Reflection fans the spark of love,
And keeps its lustre bright.
While Hope, with healing power, descends,
Though pensive tears may flow;
She tells her soothing tale, and lends
A wing to every woe.
When from his throne of uncreated light
Jehovah rose, array'd in glorious might,
Through boundless space his eye a ray bestow'd,
And tides of goodness from his bosom flow'd:
Angels were awed; each, trembling, held his lyre,
And watch'd the progress of th' Almighty Sire:
His dread approach by Chaos soon was felt,
Where darkness from eternity had dwelt.
But, lo! He spake - "Let there be light," said
He:
The mandate echoed through immensity:
Forth from the east was launch'd the glorious sun,
And seem'd rejoiced his azure course to run;
His matchless power the firmament declared;
Marshall'd in glory, countless worlds appeared;
Earth smiled below, in various blooms array'd;
Ten thousand wonders were at once display'd!
All anxious seem'd their Maker's praise t' express,
For all was beauty, all was happiness,
When man, as Nature's lord, was form'd to prove
His great Creator's boundless power and love.
All was complete, and, lo! the forming God
His benediction on his works bestow'd;
The morning stars brake forth in rapturous lays,
And heaven and earth seem'd rivals in his praise.
Th' angelic hosts, elate with grateful mirth,
With harps celestial hail'd fair Nature's birth:
They view'd the works their God had form'd and
bless'd;
On every scene his goodness was impress'd:
Grateful they bow'd before the eternal throne,
And made Creation's happiness their own.
Thus, heavenly Gratitude, may'st thou inspire
Each human breast with thy celestial fire,
That when our Maker's mercies we explore,
Like angels, we may gratefully adore,
Rejoice in that of which we are possess❜d,
And deem it blessing to see others bless'd.
Hail, heavenly Virtue! power divine,
Each heart-endearing charm is thine,
Who dost all woe beguile!
No danger nor alarm thou dread'st,
For o'er the sacred path thou tread'st
Peace sheds her hallow'd smile.
Pure is thy bliss without alloy :
For thee unceasing streams of joy
Flow from unnumber'd springs;
And heavenly fruits yield thee supply;
And shining seraphs from on high
Drop fragrance from their wings.
Object of Heaven's peculiar care,
In thy retreats no dark despair,
No guilty fears are found:
Joys rise with each succeeding day,
While conscience, clear as morn's bright ray, Darts healthful beams around.
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