Still he calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends.
5 Could we bear from one another
What he daily bears from us ?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
Loves us though we treat him thus :
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
6 for grace our hearts to soften !
Teach us, Lord, at length to love ;
We, alas ! forget too often
What a Friend we have above :
But when home our souls are brought,
We will love thee as we ought.
54.
Vanity of Life.[1]—Eccles. i, 2.
1 THE evils that beset our path,
Who can prevent or cure ?
We stand upon the brink of death
When most we seem secure.
2 If we to-day sweet peace possess,
It soon may be withdrawn ;
Some change may plunge us in distress
Before to-morrow s dawn.
3 Disease and pain invade our health,
And find an easy prey ;
And oft, when least expected, wealth
Takes wings and flies away.
4 A fever or a blow can shake
Our wisdom s boasted rule,
And of the brightest genius make
A madman or a fool.
5 The gourds from which we look for fruit
Produce us only pain ;
- ↑ Book ii, Hymn 6.
