Classic Poem

Days , weeks, and months are gone and past,
This morning ushers in the last,
The last, — that ever we, my friend,
May in one habitation spend:
But 'ere we part, my friendly muse
Wou'd kindly this precaution use.

You now are just in manhood's dawn,
And flow'ry prospects deck the lawn;
Wealth, pleasure, strength, and length of days,
With joyful hope, your mind surveys.
But let your heart receive this truth,
Ten thousand snares are laid for youth;
Ten thousand sins, in pleasure's dress,
Each youth will to their bosom press.
One sin calls here, another there,
And youth, too oft, incline an ear,
The soft, delusive voice to hear.

Regard then, this, my parting breath,
Those flow'ry paths lead down to death,
And when you are from me remote,
With gay companions, void of thought;
When you shall hear their tongues profane
The great J EHOVAH'S sacred name,
And you, perhaps, with them shall join
To imprecate the wrath divine,
Tho' no reproving friend is near,
Remember God himself is there.
Let recollection then relate,
What oft you've heard a friend repeat,
Conscience shall ev'ry truth attest,
And own each admonition just;
She will a faithful diary keep,
Tho' oft we think she's lull'd to sleep.
But Ah! should death your soul o'ertake,
You'd find the treach'rous dame awake;
But this obscure, this last sad day,
Youth shuns, and puts it far away.
But come, or soon, or late that hour,
We know we all must feel it's pow'r.

This long expected period's come,
As certain that , which seals our doom,
Which stabs our vitals, — stops our breath,
And closes up our eyes in death,
Which makes us bid the world Adieu!
And brings eternity to view;
Which hails us partners of the sky,
Or bids us down to horror fly:
Then shall your heart these lines approve,
And know that all I meant was love.