If food be thine, (tho' little gold,) And a calm conscience crowns the whole : COTTON 140 CHAPTER IV. DESCRIPTIVE PIECES. SECTION I. The pleasures of retirement. 1. HAPPY the man, whose wish and care In his own ground. 2. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, 3. Blest who can unconcern'dly find 4. Sound sleep by night; study and ease, 6. Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Steal from the world, and not a stone SECTION II. The Sluggard. 1. 'Tis the voice of the sluggard—I heard him complain, "You have wak'd me too soon—I must slumber again.” As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed, Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head. 2. "A little more sleep, and a little more slumber;" Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number; And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands, Or walks about saunt'ring, or trifling he stands. 3. I pass'd by his garden, I saw the wild brier, The thorn, and the thistle, grow broader and higher. The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags; And his money still wastes, till he starves or he begs. 4. I made him a visit, still hoping to find He had ta'en better care for improving his mind : He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking; But he scarce reads the Bible, and never loves thinking 5. Said I then to my heart," Here's a lesson for me; That man's but a picture of what I might be : But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding, Who taught me betimes to love working and reading.' SECTION III. Creation and Providence. 1. I SING th' almighty pow'r of God, 2. I sing the wisdom that ordain'd The moon shines full at his command, WATTS. 3. I sing the goodness of the Lord, That fill'd the earth with food. He form'd the creatures with his word, 4. Lord! how, thy wonders are display'd Where'er I turn mine eye; If I survey the ground I tread, 5. There's not a plant or flow'r below 6. Creatures (as num'rous as they be) 7. In Heav'n he shines with beams of love; With wrath in hell beneath! 'Tis on his earth I stand or move, 8. His hand is my perpetual guard; SECTION IV. A morning in spring. 1. Lo! the bright, the rosy morning, Calls me forth to take the air: Cheerful spring, with smiles returning, Ushers in the new-born year. 2. Nature now in all her beauty, With her gently-moving tongue, 3. See the ear.y blossoms springing! See the jocund lambkins play! Welcome to the new-born day! 4. Vernal music, softly sounding, Echoes through the verdant grove: Nature now with life abounding, Swells with harmony and love. 6. Now their vernal dress assuming, 7. Praise to thee, thou great Creator! 8. For ten thousand blessings giv'n; Sound his praise through earth and heav'n, SECTION V. Heavenly wisdom. 1. How happy is the man who hears And who celestial Wisdom makes 2. For she has treasures greater far And her reward is more secure 8. In her right-hand she holds to view And in her left, the prize of fame FAWCETT 4. She guides the young, with innocence, A crown of glory she bestows 5. According as her labours rise, SECTION VI. The Man of Ross. LOGAR 1. RISE, honest muse! and sing the Man of Ross.— But clear and artless, pouring through the plain, Who taught that heav'n-directed spire to rise? What numbers wish, but want the pow'r to do. SECTION VII. Resignation. 1. WHILE Some in folly's pleasures roll, And seek the joys that hurt the soul; POPE |