Earthly Prospects Deceitful

I

Oft in vain the voice of truth
Solemnly and loudly warns;
Thoughtless, inexperienced youth,
Though it hears, the warning scorns:
Youth in fancy’s glass surveys
Life prolong’d to distant years,
While the vast imagined space
Fill’d with sweets and joys appears.

II

Awful disappointment soon
Overclouds the prospect gay;
Some their sun goes down at noon,
Torn by death’s strong hand away:
Where are then their pleasing schemes?
Where the joys they hoped to find?
Gone for ever, like their dreams,
Leaving not a trace behind.

III

Others, who are spared awhile,
Live to weep o’er fancy’s cheat;
Find distress and pain and toil,
Bitter things instead of sweet:
Sin has spread a curse around,
Poison’d all things here below;
On this base polluted ground
Peace and joy can never grow

IV

Grace alone can cure our ills,
Sweeten life with all its cares,
Regulate our stubborn wills,
Save us from surrounding snares:
Though you oft have heard in vain,
Former years in folly spent,
Grace invites you yet again,
Once more calls you to repent.

V

Call’d again, at length beware,
Hear the Saviour’s voice and live;
Lest he in his wrath should swear,
He no more will warning give;
Pray that you may hear and feel,
Ere the day of grace be past;
Lest your hearts grow hard as steel,
Or this year should prove your last.