Page:The Vanity of Human Wishes - Johnson (1749).djvu/38


 * Yet ev'n on this her Load Misfortune flings,

To press the weary Minutes flagging Wings: New Sorrow rises as the Day returns, A Sister sickens, or a Daughter mourns. Now Kindred Merit fills the sable Bier, Now lacerated Friendship claims a Tear. Year chases Year, Decay pursues Decay, Still drops some Joy from with'ring Life away; New Forms arise, and diff'rent Views engage, Superfluous lags the Vet'ran on the Stage, Till pitying Nature signs the last Release, And bids afflicted Worth retire to Peace.


 * But few there are whom Hours like these await,

Who set unclouded in the Gulphs of Fate. Rh