Aud like Narcissus as they gain more near, And agonize in warm desire, Or slake their lust, as in the stream they roll. XII. Whilst the world burns, and all the orbs below In their viperous ruins glow, They sink, and unsupported leave the skies, Which fall abrupt, and tell their torment in the noise. Then see th' Almighty Judge, sedate and bright, Cloth'd in imperial robes of light, His wings the winds, rough storms the chariot bear, And nimbler harbingers before him fly, And with officious rudeness brush the air, And leave behind quick winding tracks of light; And shiv'ring lest they start, a sailing caravan compose. XIII. The mighty Judge rides in tempestuous state, Whilst menial guards of flame his orders wait; His waving vestments shine, Bright as the sun, which lately did its beams resign, And burnish'd wreaths of light shall make his form divine; Strong beams of majesty around his temples play, And the transcendent gaiety of his face allay. His Father's reverend characters he'll wear, And both o'erwhelm with light, and over-awe with fear. Myriads of angels shall be there, And I, perhaps, close the tremendous rear. Angels, the first and fairest sons of day, Clad with eternal youth, and as their vestments gay. 15 XIV. 'Nor for magnificence alone, To brighten and enlarge the pageant scene; We shall attend, and save, or deal the blow, XV. The welcome news, Thro' ev'ry angel's breast, fresh raptures shall diffuse. When Satan with his pow'rs shall sink to endless doom; XVI. 'Then Raphael, big with life, the trump shall sound; In thunder, through the horrid redd'ning smoke, We'll shout around with martial joy, And thrice the vaulted skies shall rend, and thrice our shouts reply. Then first th' Archangel's voice, aloud, Shall cheerfully salute the day and throng; And hallelujahs fill the crowd, And I, perhaps, shall close the song. XVII. From its long sleep, all human race shall rise; And see the morn, and Judge advancing in the skies. To their long tenements the souls return, Whilst down the steep of Heav'n, as swift the Judge descends. These look illustrious bright, no more to mourn, PRAYER. [MONTGOMERY.] PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire, Unutter'd or exprest; The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast. Prayer is the burden of a sigh, Prayer is the simplest form of speech Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high. Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, His watchword at the gates of death,- Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, While angels in their songs rejoice, The saints in prayer appear as one Nor prayer is made on earth alone, And Jesus on the eternal throne For sinners intercedes. O Thou, by whom we come to God, 17 CAMERONIAN MIDNIGHT KYMN. [HOGG.] OH! thou that dwellest in the heavens so high, Where the dazzling fields need no other light The Oh! turn not thou thy face away. C Our night is dreary, and dim our day, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. [CARTER.] THE midnight Moon serenely smiles Now every passion sinks to rest, In silence hush'd, to Reason's voice Come! while the peaceful scene invites, Does it amid the frolic mirth Of gay assemblies dwell; Or hide beneath the solemn gloom, That shades the hermit's cell? |