7
Sustain'd by thee, how patiently can bear
The pang which tells him that his end is near.
See, how compos'd he waits th' approach of death,
And comfort speaks e'en with his latest breath
To those he soon must leave o'erwhelm'd in grief;
He tells them where alone to seek relief;—
Points with uplifted finger to the skies,
And proves that there his stedfast hope now lies.
See, how the radiant smile illumes his brow!
Ah! mark the charms of sweet Religion now!
Ye daring few, who all her laws defy,
Behold, how calmly the good man can die,
And own, of all the bliss to mortals given
Religion is the dearest gift of Heav'n:
How far she lifts the soul from this vain world!
And, when to misery's dominion hurl'd
By sorrow's iron hand with cruel skill,
How does she raise the hopes it sought to kill!
She drives th' unfeeling monster from its throne,
And makes the wounded feeble heart her own.
The pang which tells him that his end is near.
See, how compos'd he waits th' approach of death,
And comfort speaks e'en with his latest breath
To those he soon must leave o'erwhelm'd in grief;
He tells them where alone to seek relief;—
Points with uplifted finger to the skies,
And proves that there his stedfast hope now lies.
See, how the radiant smile illumes his brow!
Ah! mark the charms of sweet Religion now!
Ye daring few, who all her laws defy,
Behold, how calmly the good man can die,
And own, of all the bliss to mortals given
Religion is the dearest gift of Heav'n:
How far she lifts the soul from this vain world!
And, when to misery's dominion hurl'd
By sorrow's iron hand with cruel skill,
How does she raise the hopes it sought to kill!
She drives th' unfeeling monster from its throne,
And makes the wounded feeble heart her own.
