24
Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride,
And even his failings lean'd to Virtue's free;
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watch'd and wept, he pray'd, and felt for all
And, as a bird each fond endearment tries,
To tempt its new fledg'd offspring to the skies;
He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay,
Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way.
Beside the bed where parting life was laid,
And sorrow, guilt and pain, by turns dismay'd,
The reverend champion stood. At his countrol,
Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul;
Comfort came down, the trembling wretch to raise
And his last faultering accents whisper'd praise.
At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
His looks adorn'd the venerable place;
Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway,
And fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray
The service past, around the pious man,
With ready zeal each honest rustic ran;
Even children followed with endearing wile,
And pluck'd his gown to share the good man' smile.
His ready smile a parent's warmth exprest,
Their welfare pleas'd him, and their cares distress
To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given
But all his serious thoughts had rest in Heaven.
As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm
Tho' round its breast the rolling clouds are spread
Eternal sunshine settles on its head.
