\IISC ELLANEOi1S THOUG HT'S . 'MS Ten thousand gay worms and shining "insects arise hourly at his command in a summer's day : But if an insect or a worm affront its Maker, our own reason would sentence it to imme- diate death. Happy were such a wretch as Amelistus, if he had been a mere animal, and had nothing in him capable of immortality. Happy had it been, if he were a worm or shining insect, or in all respects like that pretty young brute, which the poet describes ; then the term of his mortal life would have finished his exis- tence : But the sin of man, and the justice of God, demand the sacrifice of a soul ; his rebellion arose against heaven, he affronted the infinite Majesty of his Creator, and since he died without repentance, the threatenings of the bible doom him to everlasting punishment. as Hear this, young sinners, who forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you." XIX. Babylon destroyed : Or, the 137th Psalm translated. HAD Horace or Pindar- written this Ode, it would have been the endless admiration of the critic, and the perpetual labour of rival translators; but it is found in the scripture, and that gives a sort of disgust to an age which verges too much toward infidelity. I could wish the muse of Mr. Pope would choose out some few of these pieces of sacred psalmody, which carry in them the more sprightly beauties of poesy, and let the English nation know what a divine poet sat on the throne of Israel. He ha's taken Homer's rhapsodies, and turned them into' fine verse and agreeable entertainment ; and his admirable imitation of the He- brew prophets, in his poem called The Messiah, convinces us abundantly, how capable he is of such a service. This particular Psalm could not well be converted into christianity, and therefore it appears here in its Jewish form : The vengeance denounced against Babylon, in the close of it, shall be executed, said a great divine, upon antichristian Rome ; but he was persuaded the Turks must do it, for Protestant hearts, said he, have too much compassion in them to imbrue their hands in such a bloody and terrible execution. 1 WHEN by the flowing brooks we sat, The brooks of Babylon the proud ; We thought on Sion's mournful state, . And wept her woes and wail'd aloud, 2 Thoughtless of ev'ry cheerful air (For grief had all ourharps unstrung) Our hares, neglected in despair, And silent, on the willows hung. 3 Ourfoes, who made our land their spoil, Our barbarous lords, with haughty tonsues, Bid us forget our groans a-while, And give a taste of Zion's songs. 4 o s How shall we sing in heathen lands Our holy songs to ears profane ? Lord; shall our lips at their commands Pronounce thy dreadful name t vain? . Forbid it heaven! O vile abuse! Zion in dust forbids it too Shall hymns inspired, for sacred use Be sung to please a scoffing crew? Q let my tongue grow dry, and cleave Fast to my mouth in silence still; Let some avenging pow'r bereave My fingers of their tuneful skill.
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