3 Love, with power divine supplied,
Suddenly my courage tried;
In a moment it was night,
Ship and skies were out of sight ;
On the briny wave I lay,
Floating rushes all my stay.
4 Did I with resentment burn,
At this unexpected turn?
Did I wish myself on shore,
Never to forsake it more?
No-" My soul," I cried, "be still;
If I must be lost, I will."
5 Next he hasten'd to convey
Both my frail supports away;
Seized my rushes; bade the waves
Yawn into a thousand graves :
Down I went, and sunk as lead,
Ocean closing o'er my head.
6 Still, however, life was safe; And I saw him turn and laugh: "Friend," he cried, "adieu! lie low, While the wintry storms shall blow ; When the spring has calm'd the main, You shall rise and float again."
7 Soon I saw him, with dismay,
Spread his plumes, and soar away;
Now I mark his rapid flight;
Now he leaves my aching sight;
He is gone whom I adore,
"Tis in vain to seek him more.
8 How I trembled then and fear'd,
When my Love had disappear'd!
"Wilt thou leave me thus," I cried,
"Whelm❜d beneath the rolling tide?"
Vain attempt to reach his ear!
Love was gone, and would not hear.
9 Ah! return, and love me still;
See me subject to thy will;
Frown with wrath, or smile with grace-
Only let me see thy face!
Evil I have none to fear,
All is good, if Thou art near.
10 Yet he leaves me-cruel fate!
Leaves me in my lost estate-
Have I sinn'd? Oh, say wherein;
Tell me, and forgive my sin!
King, and Lord, whom I adore,
Shall I see thy face no more?
11 Be not angry; I resign,
Henceforth, all my will to thine :
I consent that thou depart,
Though thine absence breaks my heart;
Go then, and for ever too:
All is right that thou wilt do.
12 This was just what Love intended; He was now no more offended; Soon as I became a child,
Love return'd to me and smiled:
Never strife shall more betide
"Twixt the Bridegroom and his Bride.
A CHILD OF GOD LONGING TO SEE HIM
1 THERE'S not an echo round me,
But I am glad should learn,
How pure a fire has found me,
The love with which I burn.
For none attends with pleasure
To what I would reveal;
They slight me out of measure,
And laugh at all I feel.
2 The rocks receive less proudly
The story of my flame;
When I approach, they loudly
Reverberate his name.
I speak to them of sadness,
And comforts at a stand;
They bid me look for gladness,
And better days at hand.
3 Far from all habitation,
I heard a happy sound;
Big with the consolation,
That I have often found:
I said, "My lot is sorrow,
My grief has no alloy;"
The rocks replied-" To-morrow,
To-morrow brings thee joy."
4 These sweet and sacred tidings,
What bliss it is to hear!
For, spite of all my chidings,
My weakness and my fear
No sooner I receive them,
Than I forget my pain,
And, happy to believe them,
I love as much again.
5 I fly to scenes romantic,
Where never men resort;
For in an age so frantic
Impiety is sport:
For riot and confusion
They barter things above;
Condemning, as delusion,
The joy of perfect love.
6 In this sequester'd corner,
None hears what I express;
Deliver'd from the scorner,
What peace do I possess !
Beneath the boughs reclining,
Or roving o'er the wild,
I live as undesigning
And harmless as a child.
7 No troubles here surprise me,
I innocently play,
While Providence supplies me,
And guards me all the day:
My dear and kind defender
Preserves me safely here,
From men of pomp and splendour,
Who fill a child with fear.
ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOUL AFTER GOD.
1 My Spouse! in whose presence I live,
Sole object of all my desires,
Who know'st what a flame I conceive,
And canst easily double its fires;
How pleasant is all that I meet!
From fear of adversity free,
I find even sorrow made sweet;
Because 'tis assign'd me by Thee.
2 Transported I see thee display
Thy riches and glory divine;
I have only my life to repay,
Take what I would gladly resign.
Thy will is the treasure I seek,
For thou art as faithful as strong;
There let me, obedient and meek,
Repose myself all the day long.
3 My spirit and faculties fail;
Oh, finish what love has begun!
Destroy what is sinful and frail,
And dwell in the soul thou hast won!
Dear theme of my wonder and praise,
I cry, who is worthy as thou?
I can only be silent and gaze;
"Tis all that is left to me now.
4 Oh, glory in which I am lost,
Too deep for the plummet of thought;
On an ocean of Deity toss'd,
I am swallow'd, I sink into nought.
|