MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS. 409 7 Godlike he lived and acted here, Moving unseen, and still sublimely great ; Yet when his country claim'd his care, Descending he appear'd, and bore the pomp of state. s Ile more than once oblig'd the throne, And sav'd the nation; yet he shunn'd the fame, Careless to make his merit known, The christian bath enough, that heav'n records his name. 9 His humble soul convers'd on high ; Heav'n was his hope, his rest, his native home: His treasures lay above the sky ; M uch he possess'd on earth, but more in worlds to come. so With silent steps he trac'd the way To the fair courts of light, his wish'd abode; Nor would he ask a moment's stay, Nor make the convoy wait, that call'd his soul to God. 11 See the good man withhead reclin'd, And peaceful heart, resign hisprecious breath: No guiltythoughts oppress his mind; Calm and serene his life, serene and cairn his death. 12 Laden with honours and with years, His vigorous virtue shot ayouthful ray, And while he ends his race, appears Bright as the setting-sun of a long cloudless day. 13 Spent with the toil of busy hours, Nature retir'd and life sunk down to sleep ; Come, dress the bed with fadeless flow'rs, Come, angels, round his tomb im- mortal vigils keep. 14 The heart of every Briton rears A monumentto Abney's spotless fame; The pencil faints, the musedespairs ; His country's grief and love must eternize his name. Sic ceeinit mamens, Inter marores domesticor Et patria owe iaetns. I. W. LVI. Entrance upon the World. CURINO was a young man brought up to a reputable trade; the term of his apprenticeship was almost expired, and he was contriving how he might venture into the world with safety, and pursue business with innocence and success. Among his near kindred, Serenus was one, a gentleman of considerable character in the sacred profession ; and after lie had consulted with his father, who was a merchant of great esteem and expe- rience, he also thought fit to seek a word of advice from the divine. Serenus had such a respect for his young kinsman, that he set his thoughts at work on this subject, and with some ten- der expressions, which melted the youth into tears, he put into his hand a paper of his best counsels. Curino entered upon bu- siness, pursued his employment with uncommon advantage, and under the blessing of heaven advanced himself to a considerable estate. He lived with honour in the world, and gave a lustre to the religion which he professed ; and after a long life of piety and usefulness, he died with a sacred composure of soul, under the influences of the christian hope. Some of bis neighbours wondered at his felicity in this world, joined with so much inno- cence, and such severe virtue. But after his death this paper was found in his closet, which was drawn up by his kinsman in holy orders, and was supposed to have a large share in procur- ing his happiness. Vol.. ix. D n
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