REFLECTIONS
AT SEA.
1st
Written during a STORM. |
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1.
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AH! what dangers the ocean of life overwhelm,
When youth’s giddy bark on it’s surface
appears;
Should desire be the Pilot that rules at the helm,
And the pleasures of Folly the course that she steers!
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2.
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| Whilst
perchance the gay morning of Fortune may smile, |
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Too
incautious ambition unfurls every sail;
And whilst Syrens of ease the frail vessel beguile,
She is stranded on shoals where temptations prevail!
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3.
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Or
at length when the storms of adversity low’r
And the light’nings of famine and Poverty
glare;
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10 |
Too
distracted to brave the wild hurricane’s power,
She for ever is wreck’d on the rocks of Despair!
[Page 24]
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2d. On hearing some Canary Birds sing during
a Storm.
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1. |
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Sweet
birds, that confin’d in yon cages of wire,
Thus warble your mutual strain;
How unconscious are ye of the pangs of Desire,
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15 |
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regardless of sorrow or pain! |
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2.
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The
waves that with fury the vessel surround
Disturb not your gentle repose;
And still as in concert your voices resound,
Ye heed not the wind as it blows!
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20 |
3.
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Oh!
had but mankind hearts as spotless as you,
And as guiltless of envy and strife
Misfortune’s rude blasts with disdain they
might view
And sing ’midst the tempests of life! [Page
25]
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