"But quell'st tyrannic pride with peerless Yet here the brightest seraphs can no more power, "Even as the tempest rives the stubborn oak: "O all-sufficient, all-beneficent, "Thou God of goodness, and of glory hear! "Bless all mankind; and bring them in the end "To Heav'n, to Immortality, and Thee." THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. WORDSWORTH. NOT seldom, clad in radiant vest, Deceitfully goes forth the morn; Not seldom ev'ning, in the west, Sinks smilingly forsworn. The smoothest seas will sometimes prove The umbrageous bark, in pomp outspread, But thou art true, incarnate Lord! Who didst vouchsafe for man to die; Thy smile is sure, thy plighted word No change can falsify. I bent before thy gracious throne, ADDRESS TO THE DEITY. BARBAULD. GOD of my life! and Author of my days! Permit my feeble voice to lisp thy praise; And trembling take upon a mortal tongue That hallow'd name to harps of seraphs sung. Than hide their faces, tremble, and adore. Worms, angels, men, in every different sphere, Are equal all, for all are nothing here. I feel that name my inmost thoughts control, eyes; Till all my sense is lost in infinite, And one vast object fills my aching sight. But soon, alas! this holy calm is broke; My soul submits to wear her wonted yoke; With shackled pinions strives to soar in vain, And mingles with the dross of earth again. But HE, our gracious Master, kind, as just, Knowing our frame, remembers we are dust: His spirit ever brooding o'er our mind, Sees the first wish to better hopes inclin'd, Marks the young dawn of every virtuous aim, And fans the smoking flax into a flame. If the soft hand of winning pleasure leads By living waters, and thro' flow'ry meads, When all is smiling, tranquil, and serene, And vernal beauty paints the flatt'ring scene, Oh teach me to elude each latent snare, And whisper to my sliding heart-Beware! With caution let me hear the syren's voice, And doubtful, with a trembling heart rejoice. A thousand worlds which roll around us brightly, Thee in their orbits bless; Ten thousand suns which shine about us nightly, Proclaim Thy righteousness. Thou didst create the world-'twas Thy proud mandate, And the same power that measur'd, weigh'd, and spann'd it, What mean these questions? Trembling THE heavens, O Lord! Thy power proclaim, I retract; My prostrate soul adores the present God: Wrapt in his being, I resound his praise: And the earth echoes back Thy name; Ten thousand voices speak Thy might, And day to day, and night to night, Utter Thy praise,-Thon Lord above! Thy praise-Thy glory-and Thy love. All things I see, or hear, or feel, The nameless He, whose nod is nature's The breeze that o'er the garden plays; birth; And nature's shield, the shadow of his hand; Her dissolution, his suspended smile! The farthest planet's glimmering rays; |