VERSES by the Pious MR. NORRIS, of Bemerton

It must be done, my Soul! But, though a strange, 'Tis sure a most delightful change; When thou must leave this Tenement of Clay, And through the Fields of Ether wing thy way; When Time shall be Eternity; and thou Shalt live, where dwell thy pious Friends, where dwells thy Saviour now.

Amazing thought! that we should ever dread To think of Death, or view the dead! Not now wrapp'd up in clouds, but Faith to thee A Land of Light and Certainty! Death could not a more blest Retinue find, Patience and Faith before, and glorious Hope behind!

When Life's close knot, by GOD's supreme decree, Disease shall cut, or Age set free. The Christian, firm amid the awful strife, Stands calm, though trembling on the verge of Life; And, from distracting Doubts serenely free, HIM, whom in TIME he lov'd, trusts for ETERNITY.

So when the spacious Globe was cover'd o'er, And highest mountains were no more, Safe in the Ark the righteous Noah stood, Till, borne triumphant o'er the boundless flood, He reach'd the Haven where he wish'd to be, And hail'd a fair new World, from Sin and Sorrow free.