• Farewell-let hope thy bliss supply, And count thy gains with fancy's eye; 'Be thine the wings that time shall send, 'Believing and obliging friend.' He said, and, sneering sly disdain, The neighb'ring leaf attempts to gain; He falls-all bruis'd on earth he lies; Too late repents, and groans, and dies. His friendly Monitor, with care, Avoids each pleasure-baited snare, False pleasure, false and fatal too! Superior joys he keeps in view: They come-the genial spring supplies The wings he hop'd, and, lo! he flies; Tastes all that summer suns prepare, And all the joys of earth and air! 280 THE PAPER-KITE, OR PRIDE WILL HAVE A FALL. FABLE XCIX. THE PAPER-KITE ; OR, PRIDE WILL HAVE A FALL. By the Rev. John Newton. My waking dreams are best conceal'd, Once on a time a Paper Kite Admire my flight above the steeple; 'How would they wonder if they knew · All that a Kite like me can do! 'Were I but free, I'd take a flight, 'And pierce the clouds beyond their sight, But, ah! like a poor pris'ner bound, 'My string confines me near the ground: THE PAPER-KITE, OR PRIDE WILL HAVE A FALL. 281 'I'd brave the eagle's tow'ring wing, Might I but fly without a string.' It tugg'd and pull'd, while thus it spoke, 'Impatient of thy ruling hand; 'How oft I've wish'd to break the lines 6 Thy wisdom for my lot assigns? 'How oft indulg'd a vain desire 'For something more, or something higher? And, but for grace and love divine, A fall thus dreadful had been mine.' SOME Author (no great matter who, It seems as if their common venom pro Like modern hero in a duel, It cropp'd the leaf, and soon was well." ded This remedy it often tried,fecurat And all the Spider's rage defied. The person who the contest view'd, 3 Remov'd the healing plant away And thus the Spider gain'd the day: To seek relief, and found it not, But He who hung upon the tree, To him my wounded soul repairs, anscom odl He knows my pain, and hears my prayers; T From Him I virtue draw by faith, Which saves me from the jaws of death f And Satan spends his rage in vain. Can rob me of this sure resource, My medicine would be still at hand;bomer dif Tho' foolish men its worth deny, & adv Hi Bank Experience gives them all the lies where I |