KEEP silence, all I. EEP silence, all ye sons of men, and hear with rev'rence due ; Eternal Wisdom from above thus lifts her voice to you: II. I was th' Almighy's chief delight from everlasting days, Ere yet his arm was stretched forth the heavens and earth to raise. Before the sea began to flow, and leave the solid land, Before the hills and mountains rose, IV. When first he rear'd the arch of heav'n, and spread the clouds on air, When first the fountains of the deep he open'd, I was there. V. There I was with him when he stretch'd his compass o'er the deep, And charg'd the ocean's swelling waves within their bounds to keep. VI. With joy I saw the abode prepar'd which men were soon to fill; Them from the first of days I lov'd; unchang'd, I love them still. VII. Now therefore hearken to my words, ye children! and be wise: Happy the man that keeps my ways; the man that shuns them dies. VIII. Where dubious paths perplex the mind, direction I afford; Life shall be his that follows me, and favour from the Lord. IX. But he who scorns my sacred laws XIV. ECCLES. vii. 2,-6. 1. WHILE others crowd the houseof mirth, and haunt the gaudy show, Let such as would with Wisdom dwell, frequent the house of wo. II. Better to weep with those who weep, and share th' afflicted's smart, Than mix with fools in giddy joys, that cheat and wound the heart. III. When virtuous sorrow clouds the face, IV. The wise in heart revisit oft grief's dark sequester'd cell; The thoughtless, still, with levity and mirth delight to dwell. V. The noisy laughter of the fool is like the crackling sound Of blazing thorns, which quickly fall in ashes to the ground. XV. ECCLES. ix. 4, 5, 6, 10. I, As long as life its term extends, Hope's blest dominion never ends; For while the lamp holds on to burn, The greatest sinner may return. II. Life is the season God hath giv'n III. The living know that they must die; gone, IV. Their hatred and their love is lost, V. Then what thy thoughts design to do VI. In the cold grave, to which we haste, XVI. ECCLES. xii. 1. I. IN life's gay morn, when sprightly youth with vital ardour glows, And shines in all the fairest charms which beauty can disclose; |