Thankless for Favours from On High

Stanzas subjoined to the Bill of Mortality for the Year 1792.

Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas,

Atque metus omnes et inexorabile fatum

Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari! —Virg.

Happy the mortal, who has traced effects

To their first cause, cast fear beneath his feet,

And Death, and roaring Hell's voracious fires!

 

THANKLESS for favours from on high,

    Man thinks he fades too soon;

Though 'tis his privilege to die,

    Would he improve the boon.

 

But he, not wise enough to scan

    His bless'd concerns aright,

Would gladly stretch life's little span

    To ages if he might.

 

To ages in a world of pain,

    To ages, where he goes,

Gall'd by affliction's heavy chain,

    And hopeless of repose.

 

Strange fondness of the human hear,

    Enamoured of its harm!

Strange world, that costs it so much smart,

    And still has power to charm.

 

Whence has the world her magic power?

    Why deem we death a foe?

Recoil from weary life's best hour,

    And covet longer woe?

 

The cause is Conscience—Conscience oft

    Her tale of guilt renews:

Her voice is terrible though soft,

    And dread of death ensues.

 

Then, anxious to be longer spared,

    Man mourns his fleeting breath:

All evils then seem light, compared    

    With the approach of Death.

 

'Tis judgment shakes him; there's the fear,

    That prompts the wish to stay:

He has incurred a long arrear,

    And must despair to pay.

 

Pay! —follow Christ, and all is paid;

    His death your peace ensures;

Think on the grave where he was laid,

    And calm descend to yours.