Classic Poem

R ETURN'D I see my natal day,
(Important time to me,)
When heav'n inform'd the lifeless clay,
And gave it life to be.

I live to see another year,
But what for God is done?
Ye transient scenes again appear,
And tell how time has run.

My infant days pass'd heedless by,
Nor more than instinct knew;
Till reason's slowly opening eye
Could form th' idea true.

Beneath my parents tender care
Securely I abode;
They shew'd me virtue's path, how fair,
Though intricate the road!

E'en then in secret have I sigh'd
To run the heav'nly race;
And oft' my feeble heart has cry'd,
“Give me, O Lord , thy grace!”

But transient as the morning cloud,
When shines the op'ning day;
Or as the dew, my early good
Soon vanish'd quite away.

Pleasure's soft call allur'd my heart,
The festive dance and song;
While the tragedian's specious art
Made the enchantment strong.

Yet still, amidst these mingled sweets,
The conscious tear would rise;
And Wisdom whisper'd, “Earth admits
“Of no substantial joys.

“Know, mortal life is but a stream,
“And pleasure but a shade:
“The bliss you now pursue's a dream,
“And like a dream will fade.”

'Tis just, I've said, I will be wise,
My folly Lord forgive;
And I to-morrow will arise.
And to thy glory live.

The morning came, fresh health arose,
My spirits gay and free;
O God , I soon forgot the vows
That ev'ning gave to thee!

By sickness then, Almighty Lord ,
Thou oft' hast warning giv'n;
And death (that time shall be deplor'd)
Snatch'd a lov'd friend to heaven.

I here review'd the mercies past,
And there the lifted rod,
Which brought me to the arms at last
Of my redeeming God.

I broke from all I lov'd before,
I bade the world farewell,
I told my friends I could no more
In tents of cedar dwell.

To thee, O Pow'r Supreme! to thee
The glory now I give,
That I permitted am to see,
Thy blissful face and live.

That love, that all-victorious grace!
'Ere youth's gay scene is o'er,
Fast binds me in its kind embrace,
And rules the dang'rous hour.

O say to my exulting soul,
From this day will I bless;
Thy future life in bliss shall roll,
And thou shalt die in peace.