The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Parnassian Spring.

The following is a POEM occasioned by contemplating on the tumults and exhaustible happiness of this world.

Contemplate on this tumultuous world,
How full of beings—see the tempest roll!
Contagion spreads, no pleasure can be found;
Within the reach of woe, no good abounds:
Some strive for honor, moving to be great,
Others for wealth, more sure to cease their fate:
The world pursues, what disadvantage find;
Can they have peace or pleasure from the mind?
No existence can rest with a false pretence,
No virtue will within the bounds commence;
But wisdom finds the gilded paths of peace,
To fly from a world where sorrows cease.
There is a steadiness of soul, and thought,
By reason bred, and by religion taught,
Which like a rock amidst the stormy waves,
Unmov'd remains, and all affliction braves.
When I perceive that all addresses fail,
And nothing o'er their stubborn souls prevail:
Distracted almost, to the tent I fly,
To make the last effort with tears and sighs.
Oh, cursed place!—I can no more command
My pen, shame and confusion shake my hand;
I must adieu, I've let the wretches know,
How barbarous are their wrongs; how vast their woe.