(19)
⟨God⟩ is alike, both good, and wiſe,
⟨In⟩ what he grants and what denies:
⟨Perhaps⟩, what goodneſs gives to-day,
⟨To-morrow⟩ goodneſs takes away.
⟨You⟩ ſay that troubles intervene,
⟨That⟩ ſorrow darkens half the ſcene.
⟨True⟩—and this conſequence you ſee,
⟨The⟩ world was ne'er deſign'd for thee:
⟨You're⟩ like a paſſenger below,
⟨That⟩ ſtays perhaps a night or ſo;
But ſtill his native country lies
Beyond the bound'ries of the ſkies.
Of heav'n aſk virtue, wiſdom, health,
But never let thy prayer be wealth.
⟨If⟩ food be thine, (tho' little gold)
And raiment to repel the cold;
Such as may nature's wants ſuffice,
Not what from pride and folly riſe;
If ſoft the motions of thy ſoul,
And a calm conſcience crowns the whole;
Add but a friend to all this ſtore,
You can't in reaſon wiſh for more;
And if kind Heav'n this comfort brings,
'Tis more than heav'n beſtows on kings.
He ſpake—The airy ſpectre flies,
And ſtrait the ſweet illuſion dies.
The viſion, at the early dawn,
Conſign'd me to the thoughtful morn;
To all the cares of waking clay,
And inconſiſtent dreams of day.
