Yet he leaves me,-cruel fate! Have I sinn'd? Oh say wherein ? Be not angry; I resign, Though thine absence breaks my heart; All is right that thou wilt do. This was just what Love intended, Love return'd to me and smiled: A CHILD OF GOD LONGING TO SEE HIM BELOVED. THERE'S not an echo round me, But I am glad should learn The rocks receive less proudly I speak to them of sadness, These sweet and secret tidings, 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. Beneath the boughs reclining, Or roving o'er the wild, I live as undesigning, And harmless as a child. No troubles here surprise me; From men of pomp and splendour, ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOUL AFTER GOD. 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; Transported I see thee display Thy riches and glory divine; I have only my life to repay, Thy will is the treasure I seek, 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, 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. Yet lost and absorb'd as I seem, I chant to the praise of my king; And, though overwhelm'd by the theme, Am happy whenever I sing. GRATITUDE AND LOVE TO GOD. ALL are indebted much to thee, But I far more than all, From many a deadly snare set free, Overwhelm me, from above, Daily, with thy boundless love! What bonds of gratitude I feel No language can declare; Beneath the oppressive weight I reel, Spirit of Charity, dispense Drive self from every part; Charity divine, draw nigh, Break the chains in which we lie! All selfish souls, whate'er they feign, Have still a slavish lot; They boast of liberty in vain, He whose bosom glows with Thee, Oh blessedness, all bliss above, All other lessons fail: We learn its name, but not its powers, S. C.-9. |