The taunts of Vice! How all that earth affords Of MAN, and close upon the dreams of life? At Death, and all its terrors ;-prompts, presides, The liquid lustre of the azure eye, And all the endearing graces that adorn Swift from the cold and solitary tomb, On eaglepinions mounting, seeks its source, Its God! the common Father of mankind ! Yes, we shall live for ever! Life's short years May bring their destin'd trials, cares, and joys, And strew the thorns and roses in our way; But we shall follow where the mighty Loru Of man's redemption, rising from the grave Ascended, pointing to our promis'd home, Above, where spirits of the just abide In IMMORTALITY, and PERFECT Love! Thus have I commenced this Introduction with pointing out the peculiar nature and distinguished excellency of the Writings of SIIAKSPEARE; then illustrating the character of the melancholy moralizing JACQUES, out of whose mouth flows the most picturesque representation of HUMAN LIFE that we have on record; and lastly, I have mentioned Young and Johnson, as having depicted this present state, in colours not very favourable to enjoyment. I then conclude, by striking the balance between the good and evil of MORTALITY, adducing a portion of the interesting Vision of Mirzah, by the amiable Addison; and an extract from the Poem of Armageddon, by a living clergyman, the Reverend Mr. Townsend : both happily illustrative of ANOTHER AND A BETTER WORLD. |