66 Children," thus spake a hare sedate, Who oft had known the extremes of Fate, "In slight events the attentive mind 66 May hints of good instruction find. "That our condition is the worst, "And we with such misfortunes cursed "As all comparison defy, "Was late the universal cry. 66 When, lo! an accident so slight, "As yonder little linnet's flight, Has made your stubborn hearts confess (So your amazement bids me guess) "That all our load of woes and fears "Is but a part of what he bears. "Where can he rest secure from harms, 66 Whom even a helpless hare alarms? "Yet he repines not at his lot; "When past, his dangers are forgot: "While we, less wretched, sink beneath "Our lighter ills, and rush to death. "No more of this unmeaning rage, "But hear, my friends, the words of age: 66 When, by the winds of autumn driven, “The scattered clouds fly cross the heaven, "Oft have we, from some mountain's head, "Beheld the alternate light and shade 66 Sweep the long vale. Here, hovering, lowers "The shadowy cloud; there, downward pours, Streaming direct, a flood of day, 66 "Which from the view flies swift away; 66 “ Thus chequered is the life below "With gleams of joy, and clouds of woe. "Nor fear, though now in shades ye mourn, "That sunshine will no more return. If, by your terrors overcome, "Ye fly before the approaching gloom, Who longs to reach the radiant plain, "Must onward urge his course amain ; "For doubly swift the shadow flies, "When 'gainst the gale the pilgrim plies. "At least be firm, and undismayed "Maintain your ground; the fleeting shade, Erelong, spontaneous glides away, "And gives you back the enlivening ray. 66 "Of war and murder is no more. "Then snatch the hour that Fate allows, In sweet amusement to employ The present sprightly hour of joy. Now, from the western mountain's brow, Compassed with clouds of various glow, The sun a broader orb displays, And shoots aslope his ruddy rays. The lawn assumes a fresher green, EPITAPH: BEING PART OF AN INSCRIPTION FOR A MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED BY A GENTLEMAN TO THE MEMORY OF HIS LADY. FAREWELL, my best beloved! whose heavenly mind With meek simplicity, and joy of heart; Though sprightly, gentle; though polite, sincere ; Unblamed, unequalled, in each sphere of life, Р |