“ The life of life were ravished from mankind.
The same dull round of habits would prevail,
Vice wax inveterate, folly would grow stale,
And this fair scene of active bliss become
A long, dark fit of hypochondriac gloom.
Thus youth's and manhood's fierce extremes contend,
With wholesome clash, each other's faults to mend;
Waging a kind of elemental strife,
They raise and purify the tone of life ”

“ Life's busy day would want its tranquil even,
And man must lose his stepping-stone to heaven.
Thus, every age by God to man assigned,
Declares His power, how good, how wise, how kind!
And thus in manhood, youth, and age, we trace
A sweet proportion, and harmonious grace. ”

“ What though the frost of years invest his head?
What though the furrow mark Time's heavy tread?
There still remains a sound and vigorous frame,
A decent competence, an honest fame;
In every neighbour he beholds a friend ”