Man Was Made To Mourn: A Dirge

    man was made to mourn: a dirge
    when chill november's surly blast
    made fields and forests bare,
    one ev'ning, as i wander'd forth
    along the banks of ayr,
    i spied a man, whose aged step
    seem'd weary, worn with care;
    his face furrow'd o'er with years,
    and hoary was his hair.
    “young stranger, whither wand'rest thou?”
    began the rev'rend sage;
    “does thirst of wealth thy step constrain,
    or youthful pleasure's rage?
    or haply, prest with cares and woes,
    too soon thou hast began
    to wander forth, with me to mourn
    the miseries of man.
    “the sun that overhangs yon moors,
    out-spreading far and wide,
    where hundreds labour to support
    a haughty lordling's pride;—
    i've seen yon weary winter-sun
    twice forty times return;
    and ev'ry time has added proofs,
    that man was made to mourn.
    “o man! while in thy early years,
    how prodigal of time!
    mis-spending all thy precious hours—
    thy glorious, youthful prime!
    alternate follies take the sway;
    licentious passions burn;
    which tenfold force gives nature's law.
    that man was made to mourn.
    “look not alone on youthful prime,
    or manhood's active might;
    man then is useful to his kind,
    supported in his right:
    but see him on the edge of life,
    with cares and sorrows worn;
    then age and want—oh! ill-match'd pair—
    shew man was made to mourn.
    “a few seem favourites of fate,
    in pleasure's lap carest;
    yet, think not all the rich and great
    are likewise truly blest:
    but oh! what crowds in ev'ry land,
    all wretched and forlorn,
    thro' weary life this lesson learn,
    that man was made to mourn.
    “many and sharp the num'rous ills
    inwoven with our frame!
    more pointed still we make ourselves,
    regret, remorse, and shame!
    and man, whose heav'n-erected face
    the smiles of love adorn,—
    man's inhumanity to man
    makes countless thousands mourn!
    “see yonder poor, o'erlabour'd wight,
    so abject, mean, and vile,
    who begs a brother of the earth
    to give him leave to toil;
    and see his lordly fellow-worm
    the poor petition spurn,
    unmindful, tho' a weeping wife
    and helpless offspring mourn.
    “if i'm design'd yon lordling's slave,
    by nature's law design'd,
    why was an independent wish
    e'er planted in my mind?
    if not, why am i subject to
    his cruelty, or scorn?
    or why has man the will and pow'r
    to make his fellow mourn?
    “yet, let not this too much, my son,
    disturb thy youthful breast:
    this partial view of human-kind
    is surely not the last!
    the poor, oppressed, honest man
    had never, sure, been born,
    had there not been some recompense
    to comfort those that mourn!
    “o death! the poor man's dearest friend,
    the kindest and the best!
    welcome the hour my aged limbs
    are laid with thee at rest!
    the great, the wealthy fear thy blow
    from pomp and pleasure torn;
    but, oh! a blest relief for those
    that weary-laden mourn!”