43
When first Affliction prostrates low,
They weep, and wish relief;
But should it prove beyond their power,
Deny the hopeless grief.
They weep, and wish relief;
But should it prove beyond their power,
Deny the hopeless grief.
The sleepless night, the wretched day,
To months and years prolonged,
Drive all one's pitying friends away,
That once benignant thronged.
To months and years prolonged,
Drive all one's pitying friends away,
That once benignant thronged.
The gasping breath, the struggling moan,
The sigh, and bitter tear,
Ne'er find compassion when 't is fled,
Nor reach the shunning ear.
The sigh, and bitter tear,
Ne'er find compassion when 't is fled,
Nor reach the shunning ear.
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.
Ah! who can know the treasures of that soul
Where mildness sheds its sweet and soft control,
And virtue, guarding with angelic care,
The placid spirit saves from every snare:—
Where blest benignity, with pious grace,
And calm contentment dwells, with peacefulness;
Where injured patience, smiling 'midst its pains,
Endures affliction, every grief sustains;—
And kind compassion lives, that fain bestows
Its bliss on others and partakes their woes;—
Where mildness sheds its sweet and soft control,
And virtue, guarding with angelic care,
The placid spirit saves from every snare:—
Where blest benignity, with pious grace,
And calm contentment dwells, with peacefulness;
Where injured patience, smiling 'midst its pains,
Endures affliction, every grief sustains;—
And kind compassion lives, that fain bestows
Its bliss on others and partakes their woes;—
