His friends around the deep affliction mourn'd, Then Job contain'd no more; but curs'd his fate, A dreadful voice, and thus th' ALMIGHTY spoke: "Of late so brave, now lift a dauntless eye, "Face my demand, and give it a reply: "Where didst thou dwell at nature's early birth? "Who laid foundations for the spacious earth? "Who on its surface did extend the line, "Its form determine, and its bulk confine? "Who fix'd the corner-stone? What hand, de clare, Hung it on nought, and fasten'd it on air? "When the bright morning stars in concert sung, "When heav'n's high arch with loud Hosannas rung, "When shouting sons of GOD the triumph crown'd, "And the wide concave thunder'd with the sound? "Who, stretching forth his sceptre o'er the deep, "Can that wild world in due subjection keep? "I broke the globe, I scoop'd its hollow'd side, "And did a bason for the floods provide; "I chain'd them with my word; the boiling sea, "Work'd up in tempests, hears my great decree; Thus far, thy floating tide shall be convey'd; "And here, O main, be thy proud billows stay'd.' "Who taught the rapid winds to fly so fast, "Or shakes the centre with his eastern blast? "Who from the skies can a whole deluge pour? "Who strikes through nature with the solemn 66 6 roar "Of dreadful thunder, points it where to fall, "And in fierce lightning wraps the flying ball? "Not he who trembles at the darted fires, "Falls at the sound, and in the flash expires. "Who did the soul with her rich pow'rs invest, "And light up reason in the human breast? "To shine with fresh increase of luster bright; "When stars and sun are set in endless night 2 "To these my various questions make reply." Th' ALMIGHTY Spoke; and, speaking, shook the sky. What then, Chaldæan Sire, was thy surprise! Thus thou, with trembling heart, and downcast eyes: "Once and again, which I in groans deplore, "My tongue has err'd; but shall presume no more. "Thou canst accomplish all things, LORD of might: "And every thought is naked to Thy sight. "But, oh! Thy ways are wonderful, and lie 66 Beyond the deepest reach of mortal eye. "Oft have I heard of Thine Almighty Pow'r, "But never saw Thee till this dreadful hour. "O'erwhelm'd with shame, the LORD of Life I see, "Abhor myself, and give my soul to Thee: "Nor shall my weakness tempt Thine anger more : "Man is not made to question, but adore." DAVID'S LAMENTATION FOR THE DEATH OF SAUL AND JONATHAN. MOURN, Israel, mourn, on Gilboa's lofty plain, Let none in Gath the mournful tidings tell, Ill-fated Gilboa ! may henceforth no rains, O Jonathan, how oft the slaughter'd foe Nor e'er, undrench'd with blood, the sword of Thro' life we saw the sire and honoured son In friendship's sacred bonds united run ; In war and peace they shared an equal fame, Nor Saul, in sable weeds, ye damsels, mourn, arms, And grac'd with purple robes your native charms. "How are the mighty fall'n!" on Gilboa's plain vain Is all the pomp of war, since thou art slain! THE SEVENTH CHAPTER OF PROVERBS. By Mr. Pope. My son, th' instruction that my words impart 'Grave on the living tablet of thy heart; Let all thy homage be to Wisdom paid, Once, from my window, as I cast mine eye |