THE TRIALS OF VIRTUE. James Merrick Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T116245 1122 K093079.001 Pearch, G. A collection of poems in four volumes. By several hands. Vol. I. [The second edition]. London printed for G. Pearch 1770 pp. 144-147. 4v. ; 8⁰.

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THE TRIALS OF VIRTUE . BY THE SAME . PLac'd on the verge of Youth , my mind Life's opening scene survey'd : I view'd its hills of various kind , Afflicted and afraid . But chief my fear the dangers mov'd , That Virtue's path inclose : My heart the wise pursuit approv'd ; But O , what toils oppose ! For see , ah ! see , while yet her ways With doubtful step I tread , A hostile World its terrors raise , Its snares delusive spread . O ! how shall I , with heart prepar'd , Those terrors learn to meet ? How from the thousand snares to guard My unexperienc'd feet ? As thus I mus'd , oppresive Sleep Soft o'er my temples drew Oblivion's veil . The watry Deep , An object strange and new , Before me rose : on the wide shore Observant as I stood , The gathering storms around me roar , And heave the boiling flood . Near and more near the billows rise ; Ev'n now my steps they lave ; And Death to my affrighted eyes Approach'd in every wave . What hope , or whither to retreat ? Each nerve at once unstrung , Chill Fear had fetter'd fast my feet , And chain'd my speechless tongue . I feel my heart within me die ; When sudden to mine ear A voice descending from on high Reprov'd my erring fear . " What tho' the swelling surge thou see " Impatient to devour ? " Rest , Mortal , rest on God's decree , " And thankful own his power . " Know , when he bade the Deep appear , " Thus far , th' Almignty said , " Thus far , nor farther , rage ; and Here " Let thy proud waves be stay'd . I heard : and lo ! at once controul'd , The waves in wild retreat Back on themselves reluctant roll'd And murm'ring left my feet . Deeps to assembling Deeps in vain Once more the signal gave : The shores the rushing weight sustain , And check th' usurping wave . Convinc'd , in Nature's volume wise The imag'd truth I read ; And sudden from my waking eyes Th' instructive Vision fled . Then why thus heavy , O my Soul ! Say why , distrustful still , Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll O'er scenes of future ill . Let Faith suppress each rising fear , Each anxious doubt exclude : Thy Maker's will has plac'd thee here , A Maker wise and good ! He to thy every trial knows Its just restraint to give , Attentive to behold thy woes , And faithful to relieve . Then why thus heavy , O my Soul ! Say why , distrustful still , Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll O'er scenes of future ill . Tho' griefs unnumber'd throng thee round , Still in thy God confide , Whose singer marks the Seas their bound , And curbs the headlong Tide .