II.

Whate'er the cause; thou art in doleful plight :
Besotted and besopp'd is thy condition!

Thy honours and renown have taken flight!
And thou thyself fast sinking to perdition,
Thou art chin-deep immers'd in lusts!—

Sure fate of him who seeks and trusts

A wanton World-hot spices bring on thirsts!

III.

Where is thy helmet-and thy warlike gear?
Thy money-bags, and deeds and gaming toys?
And smiles?—all gone!—what hast thou left? a tear
To brine that cheek so late suffused with joys-
Infatuate youth!—still cling'st thou to thy foe?
Uncoil thy leg and learn thy curse to know—
One moment-and she swamps thee !—let her go.

IV.

Cast off-and make for shore-behold!

A shield still floats-and wooes thy panting breast:
Repent and cherish hope-in hope be bold

That grace may save-repentance is the test!
Repentance to the soul gives kind relief:
Repentance-changes hope, to sure belief:
Repentance-saved the sighing dying thief!

HUGO, de animâ.

Tell me, where be those now, that so lately loved and hugged the World?

ANON.

But I tell you a storm shall arise, thy light bark shall be shattered, and all thy choice Argosie-riches, power, pride, honours, be lost, and thyself gasping in lusts-thy haughtiness craving the help even of a straw -eschew the empty world, for its love is death.

HOSEA, chap. 13, v. 3.

They shall be as chaff that is driven with a whirlwind out of the floor.

EPIG.

What is the World?—a field of flowers, and weeds, and

stubble!

And life?—a very schoolboy's soapen bubble!

Which if a fly but cross its airy way,

The bubble bursts-the Globe has passed away!