"If but this tedious battle could be fought,
Like Sparta's heroes at one rocky pass,
`One day be spent in dying,' men had sought
The spot and been cut down like mower's grass."
The next is in a metrical form. It is the aspiration of a
different mind, in quite other regions of power and duty, yet they
all accord at last.
"Great God, I ask thee for no meaner pelf
Than that I may not disappoint myself,
That in my action I may soar as high,
As I can now discern with this clear eye.
And next in value, which they kindness lends,
That I may greatly disappoint my friends,
Howe'er they think or hope that it may be,
They may not dream how thou 'st distinguished me.
That my weak hand may equal my firm faith,
And my life practise more than my tongue saith;
That my low conduct may not show,
Nor my relenting lines,
That I thy purpose did not know,
Or overrated thy designs."
The last of the four orisons is written in a singularly calm
and healthful spirit, and contains this petition.
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