On Health And Liberty

WHAT are the choicest blessings heav'n bestows?
Or mortal man through life's short journey knows?
Sure Health and Liberty combin'd may form
That lasting pleasure which the heart can warm.
Depriv'd of Health, what object gives delight?
What melody can charm the ear aright?
Or what enchanting prospects please the sight?
Nor pow'r nor titles can the heart elate,
Nor all the gaudy pageantry of state;
Pleasures nor wealth can yield a moment's joy,
The want of Health each pleasure will destroy.
Depriv'd of Freedom, not e'en Health's bright ray
Can give us ease, or chace our gloom away.
'Mur'd in a dungeon, see, the captive lies,
Rending the dismal wails with fruitless cries;
What's Health, what's life to him, his Freedom lost,
His heart's best hopes by luckless fortune crost?
Or view the wretch from Afric's sultry clime,
Who's doom'd in slavery to pass his time;
Doom'd throughout life to one continu'd thrall,
With not a moment he his own can call;
Nor happiness is his, nor social joys,
The want of Liberty each bliss destroys.
Detested Slavery! thou foe to peace,
Soon may thy pow'r in ev'ry region cease!
Then since to Health and Liberty, when join'd,
We owe each feeling that delights the mind;
Since from their source content and pleasure flow,
With ev'ry bliss we in this life can know;
If either's lost, no social joys we share,
These to preserve be our unceasing care.
The first by exercise is best procur'd,
By industry and temperance insur'd;
As to the last, in fair Britannia's isle,
Where bright-ey'd Freedom does for ever smile,
Nought can the want of this great blessing cause,
Unless we disobey our country's laws.
Then ye who seek true peace in this short span,
Would you be blest as far as mortals can;
And would you Health and Liberty posses,
Lead temp'rate lives, and ne'er the laws transgress.