102 VERSES FROM THE POEM OF VALEDICTION. He may be call'd to give up health and gain, groan for groan, And wet his cheeks with sorrows not his own. The heart of man, for such a task too frail, When most relied on, is most sure to fail; And, summon'd to partake its fellow's wo, Vot'ries of business, and of pleasure, prove Faithless alike in friendship, and in love. Retir'd from all the circles of the gay, To scenes, where competition, envy, strife, Let me, the charge of some good angel, find Let me enjoy, in some unthought-of spot, A soul, an image of himself, and therefore true. IN BREVITATEM VITÆ SPATII HOMINIBUS CONCESSI. BY DR. JORTIN. HEI mihi! Lege ratâ sol occidit atque resurgit, Lunaque mutatæ reparat dispendia formæ, Astraque, purpurei telis extincta diei, Rursus nocte vigent. Humiles telluris alumni, Cum Zephyri vox blanda vocat, rediitque sereni Reddit in æthereas, tumuli neque claustra resolvit. ON THE SHORTNESS OF HUMAN LIFE. TRANSLATION OF THE FOREGOING. [JANUARY 1784.] SUNS that set, and moons that wane, Rise, and are restor❜d again, Stars that orient day subdues, Night at her return renews. Herbs and flowers, the beauteous birth Of the genial womb of Earth, Suffer but a transient death From the winter's cruel breath. Zephyr speaks; serener skies Still 'tis winter in the tomb. EPITAPH ON JOHNSON. [JANUARY 1785] HERE Johnson lies-a sage by all allow'd, Whom to have bred, may well make England proud; Whose prose was eloquence, by wisdom taught, The graceful vehicle of virtuous thought; Whose verse may claim-grave, masculine, and strong, Superior praise to the mere poet's song; Who many a noble gift from Heav'n possess'd, By fame on earth-by glory in the skies! |