THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE. FAR in the heavens my God retires, When he descends within my view, But leaves it tir'd and fainting in the' unequal chase. Or, if I reach unusual height Till near his presence brought, There floods of glory check my flight, Cramp the bold pinions of my wit, And all untune my thought; Plung'd in a sea of light I roll, Where wisdom, justice, mercy, shines; Infinite rays in crossing lines [my soul. Beat thick confusion on my sight, and overwhelm Come to my aid, ye fellow-minds, And help me reach the throne; (What single strength in vain designs, United force hath done; Thus worms may join, and grasp the poles, Thus atoms fill the sea) But the whole race of creature-souls, Stretch'd to their last extent of thought, plunge and are lost in thee. Great God! behold my reason lies Adoring; yet my love would rise On pinions not her own: Faith shall direct her humble flight, Through all the trackless seas of light, To thee, the' Eternal Fair, the Infinite Unknown! DEATH AND ETERNITY. My thoughts, that often mount the skies, Go search the world beneath, Where Nature all in ruin lies, The tyrant, how he triumphs here! These skulls, what ghastly figures now! But where the souls, those deathless things, My thoughts, now stretch out all your wings, O that unfathomable sea! Those deeps without a shore ! Where living waters gently play, Or fiery billows roar. Thus must we leave the banks of life, Vain are our groans, and dying strife, There we shall swim in heavenly bliss, While the pale carcase thoughtless lies Some hearty friend shall drop his tear These once were strong, as mine appear, Thus shall our mouldering members teach A SIGHT OF HEAVEN IN SICKNESS. OFT have I sat in secret sighs, To feel my flesh decay, Then groan'd aloud with frighted eyes, But I forbid my sorrows now, My cheerful soul now all the day Sits waiting here and sings; Looks through the ruins of her clay, And practises her wings. Faith almost changes into sight, Above created skies. Had but the prison walls been strong, In darkness she had dwelt too long, But now the everlasting hills The shines of Heaven rush sweetly in O may these walls stand tottering still, Or rather let this flesh decay, Till glad to see the' enlarged way, THE UNIVERSAL HALLELUJAH. PSALM CXlviii. PARAPHRASED. PRAISE ye the Lord with joyful tongue, Gabriel, and all the' immortal choir Shine to his praise, ye crystal skies, Or veil your little twinkling eyes Thou restless globe of golden light, Blush and refund the honours paid Tell the blind world your orbs are fed Winds, ye shall bear his name aloud Through the etherial blue; For when his chariot is a cloud, He makes his wheels of you. |