VANITY. AH! why should vanity enslave O holy Saviour, hear our prayer, DECEPTION. WHO can detect the bosom's hidden pain, For oft hypocrisy will smile serene, PSALM CXIX. "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction." HAD not thy righteous law been my delight, When friends forsook and earthly comforts fled, And cruel foes display'd their envious spite, Most surely I had sunk among the dead, And cold oblivion's dew had rested on my head. Yet still I live, Oh, let my praise arise, Sends gifts to man, with peace, and life, and light; Oh, lead me from those paths with error fraught, Whose snares too oft my heedless steps betide; Restrain the hasty speech, and roving thought, And fear of feeble man, and causeless pride, And all the secret ills that in my heart reside. ON HEARING A TOLLING BELL CAST out and banish'd from thy sight, Cast me not off: my strength is small; My life is but an airy breath. TO A FRIEND ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW YEAR. AS the strong oak, when its green boughs are riven, Firm on its base still lifts its head to heaven, Of time, shall meet the tide, of vast eternity. ON THE DEPARTURE OF MRS. NOTT, WITH THE MISSIONARIES FOR INDIA. ADIEU to her to whom my soul was dear, Where the rude Hindoo holds his devious way. FRIENDSHIP. The emotions arising from mutual, unlimited friendship and entire confidence, are SOMETHING than pleasure dearer, more elate Than doubtful hope; more pensive too than joy; More pure than love. They form a band of such Confirm'd alliance, so constrain the will, Sooth the rough passions, mingle with such art The hopes, the fears, the raptures of the soul, That selfishness is lost, and one free aim Inspires two spirits, while one magic band Entwines each heart, and so unites their strength That pressing onward they despise the front |