Classic Poem

When walking in Hyde-Park,
How pleasant was the Air,
But Oh! how many here do come
In Trouble and Despair!

Yes, come to seek for Death,
Because their Life did fear;
Therefore they heedlessly have plung'd
Into the Bason here.

Ah! heedlessly it was,
Or they would dread the Crime:
What are the Troubles of this Life
To those which follow Time!

These meet an angry God,
And sink in endless Pain:
Ah! would they Murder now themselves,
Were they alive again?

But some seek here another Death,
Say they, on Honor's Ground,
Such sure must much mistake the Term —
There's no such Honor found.

No Honor 'tis to kill a Man,
That does but you offend,
And thus yourself, or else your Friend,
To endless Torments send.

No Honor 'tis thus to transgress,
The Laws of God and Man:
In this to justify themselves,
Sure, rightly, no one can.

Oh! think of this, before you Fight,
That you to sin may fear;
How will you meet a God in Peace,
Who die in Anger here.

He is a God of Justice too,
And punish will your Crime,
Unless your Peace be made with him,
Which must be done in time.

For as the Tree falls to the Ground,
You'll find, so it will lie;
No Honor's due unto that Man
Who out of Christ shall die.

Ye Men of Spirit, think on this,
Lest Satan you deceive!
The Honor you in Duels win,
Like knowledge is of Eve.

The Honor that the Saviour gives,
Does with bright lustre shine;
'Tis Righteousness, and Peace and Love,
And Blessings all divine.