When Fortune's adverse storms arise,
And thunders shake the vaulted skies,
No cloud thy breast defiles:
Superior to the shocks of fate,
Thou valuest at an equal rate

All earthly frowns and smiles.

Remote thou dwell'st from rage and strife; To thee is shown the path of life :

And while the passions lie,

Subject to thy divine control,

Thou shedd'st thy sunshine o'er the soul,

And fitt'st her for the sky.

By thee alone is joy possess'd,

Pure joy, which nothing can molest,

A balm for every wound:

A power divine in thee is stored;

And God has pledged his sacred word,
If sought, thou shalt be found.

M

AFFECTION.

Affection is a spark divine,
A pledge of Heaven below;
For every joy she does refine,
And lightens every woe.

Her powers, like balmy drops, distil:
Her healing charms are shed,
Like Herman's dew on Sion's hill,
Or ointment on the head.

She loves the kind, the blest employ,
The abodes of woe to cheer:
To make the widow sing for joy,
And dry the orphan's tear.

Her breast's from selfish interests free;

She bends to Pity's call;

For, like her glorious Author, she

Displays a love for all.

She doth the storms of sorrow calm;
Her smile can joy impart;
Her lenient hand procures a balm

To heal the bleeding heart.

When oft misfortunes are renew'd,
And Fate appears severe,

We find it soften'd when bedew'd
With sweet Affection's tear.

Almighty Power! in whom I live,
This grace to me impart ;
With every other virtue, give
A sympathising heart.

FORTITUDE.

Blest Fortitude! thou dost impart
A balm which heals the wounded heart:
'Tis thy consoling power that cheers
Man's journey through this vale of tears.
Oh! how supremely blest is he
Whose soul is anchor'd firm on thee;
Peace is his pilot, while he braves
The force of life's tempestuous waves.
Hope in his breast her sunshine sheds:
His heart no evil tidings dreads:
The frowns of fate he can defy:

The place of his defence is high.
Distress and sorrow may oppose
His path, and friends may turn to foes;
But still resign'd, his course he steers,
And greatly feels, but bravely bears.
His faith disarms the power of death;
And slander's pestilential breath
Will ne'er annoy the peaceful breast

Which Heaven's approving smile has blest.

THE VANITY OF RICHES.

'Tis Wisdom speaks! - ye great, attend!
Aloud she cries, "Shall riches tend
To make its owner look with scorn
On those he calls the lower born?
Can honour, fame, renown, or wealth,
Secure that peerless blessing, health ?
Can they one hour prolong man's breath,
Or bribe th' impartial hand of Death?
To please his ear, men may repeat,
Most mighty, noble, high-born, great;'
Yet all these sounding titles must

6

At last conclude with Dust to dust.'

Death to the great pays no respect;
No substitute will he accept;

For slaves, and lords, and clowns, and kings,

He to an equal meanness brings.

At mighty rulers of the earth,

At men of noble blood and birth,

He points his dart; and, lo! they fall,

To share the common lot of all.

Thus bends their power, to death a prey:

They mingle with their native clay: