The Virginian

POETRY,
WATCH!
By the late John Mason Good, M. D., F. R. S.
Life is a sea, how fair its face,
How smooth its dimpling waters pace;
Its canopy how pure!
But rocks below and Tempests sleep,
Insidious, o'er the glassy deep,
Nor leave an hour secure.
Life is a wilderness,- beset
With tangling thorns, and treacherous net,
And prowl'd by beasts of prey;
One path alone conducts aright,
One narrow path, with little light;
A thousand lead astray.
Life is a warfare,-and alike
Prepared to parley, or to strike,
The practis'd foes draw nigh.
Oh hold no truce! less dangerous far
To stand, and all his phalanx dare,
Than trust his specious wile.
Whate'er its forms, whate'er its flow
What life is lent to man below,
One duty stands confest,-
To watch incessant, firm of mind,
And watch whate'er the post assign'd
And leave to God the rest
"Twas while they watch'd, the shepherd swains
Heard angels strike to angel strains
The song of heavenly love;
Blest harmony! that far excels
All music else on earth that dwells,
Or e'er was tun'd above.
"Twas while they watch'd, the sages trac'd
The star, that every star effac'd
With new and nobler shine;
They followed and it led the way
To where the infant Saviour lay,
And gave them light divine.
"Twas while they watched, with lamp in hand,
And oil well stor'd, the virgin band
The bridal pomp descried;
They join'd it,-and the heavenly gate,
That op'd to them its glorious state,
Was clos'd on all beside.
Watch! watch! and pray! in suffering hour
Thus he exclaim'd, who felt its power,
And triumph'd in the strife.
Victor of death! thy voice I hear
Fun would I watch with holy fear.
Would watch and pray through life's career,
And only cease with life.