6
THE USE OF AFFLICTIONS.1822.
My fainting life now longs to die,
Then mourns untimely fate;
And then all those I long to fly,
That are with joys elate.
Then mourns untimely fate;
And then all those I long to fly,
That are with joys elate.
But the most happy oft lament,
And do their griefs confess:
Now joy prevails, and now despair
With icy chilliness.
And do their griefs confess:
Now joy prevails, and now despair
With icy chilliness.
For earthly pleasures quickly pass,
And vanish quite away;
And sorrow, sickness, pain, and death
Obscure the brightest day.
And vanish quite away;
And sorrow, sickness, pain, and death
Obscure the brightest day.
But far beyond this world of woe,
Of grief, regret, and gloom,
For those who sought fair wisdom's path,
Unfading pleasures bloom.
Of grief, regret, and gloom,
For those who sought fair wisdom's path,
Unfading pleasures bloom.
The wise Disposer of events
Hath, in his mercy, given
Those sore afflictions, to prepare
And fit our souls for Heaven.
Hath, in his mercy, given
Those sore afflictions, to prepare
And fit our souls for Heaven.
