THE sinner's agony. 35 



fon, it is perfection. There are, likewise, flaws in Stephens's no- 

 menclature : for instance, the Sylvia cinerea is properly called 

 White-throated Warbler, but his Silvia Silviella (Ficedula garrula, 

 of the foregoing list) he calls Lesser White-throat, thus changing 

 the generic name. The genus Rotch (Mergulus) he has called Sea 

 Dove, and the genus Daption (Daption) he has called Sea Pintado. 

 I must now conclude these remarks, entreating my readers to give 

 the subject the consideration which I conceive it so justly merits. 



S. D. W. 



THE SINNER'S AGONY. 



A wounded spirit who can bear." — Psa lms: 



Why should I fear to die ? 



Can the unquiet earth. 



With its false hollow mirth, 

 lis sickening pleasures and dull load of care, 



Cling to this weary heart, 



That I should grieve to part 

 From such as these? — Ah! no, it is not there, — 

 Not there the thorn that rankles in my breast, 



And will not give me rest. 



Why should I fear to die? 



Is it to leave behind 



The beautiful, the kind, 

 Bright forms affection's golden chain uniteth ; 



To quit the tranquil home. 



Beneath whose hallowed dome 

 Is centred all in which my soul delighteth ? 

 Ah! no not this the pang that rends my breast, 



And will not give me rest. 



Why do I fear to die ? 



Shrinks back my soul with dread 



From that cold narrow bed, 

 Man's long last home, — where silence ever broodeth,— . 



Where darkness over all 



Extends her gloomy pall, 

 And but the worm its slimy form intrudeth? 

 Not this the dull despair, — the heavy woe, — 



That brings my spirit low. 



Must I not fear to die ? 



Evil and few have been 



My days, in this world's scene, — 

 In pleasure's flowery path my steps have trod ; 



Too fondly then I deemed 



This life was all it seemed. 

 And in the pride of youth forgot my God: 

 He leaves me now, — he will not hear my prayer,— 



He leaves me to despair, ' ' M. 



d2 



