Drew the whole harmony of things
That form this noble universe:

Old Nothing knew his powerful hand,
Scarce had he spoke his full command,

Fire, air, and earth, and sea heard the creating call,

And leap'd from empty nothing to this beauteous all:

And still they dance, and still obey

The orders they receiv'd the great creation day.

THE FAREWELL.

DEAD be my heart to all below,
To mortal joys and mortal cares;
To sensual bliss that charms us so,
Be dark, my eyes, and deaf, my ears.

Here I renounce my carnal taste
Of the fair fruit that sinners prize:
Their paradise shall never waste
One thought of mine, but to despise.

All earthly joys are overweigh'd
With mountains of vexatious care;
And where's the sweet that is not laid
A bait to some destructive snare?

Be gone for ever, mortal things!

Then mighty molehill, earth, farewell! Angels aspire on lofty wings,

And leave the globe for ants to dwell.

Come, heaven, and fill my vast desires, My soul pursues the sovereign good: She was all made of heavenly fires, Nor can she live on meaner food.

GOD ONLY KNOWN TO HIMSELF.

STAND, and adore! how glorious he
That dwells in bright eternity!
We gaze, and we confound our sight
Plung'd in the abyss of dazzling light.

Thus sacred One, almighty Three,
Great everlasting Mystery,

What lofty numbers shall we frame
Equal to thy tremendous name?

Seraphs, the nearest to the throne, Begin, and speak the great Unknown : Attempt the song, wind up your strings, To notes untry'd, and boundless things.

You whose capacious powers survey
Largely beyond our eyes of clay:
Yet what a narrow portion too

Is seen, or known, or thought, by you!

How flat your highest praises fall
Below the immense Original!

Weak creatures we, that strive in vain
To reach an uncreated strain!

Great God, forgive our feeble lays,
Sound out thine own eternal praise;
A song so vast, a theme so high,
Calls for the voice that tun'd the sky.

PARDON AND SANCTIFICATION.

My crimes awake; and hideous fear
Distracts my restless mind,
Guilt meets my eyes with horrid glare,
And hell pursues behind.

Almighty vengeance frowns on high,

And flames array the throne;

While thunder murmurs round the sky, Impatient to be gone.

Where shall I hide this noxious head;

Can rocks or mountains save?

Or shall I wrap me in the shade
Of midnight and the grave?

Is there no shelter from the eye
Of a revenging God?
Jesus, to thy dear wounds I fly,
Bedew me with thy blood.

Those guardian drops my soul secure,

And wash away my sin; Eternal justice frowns no more, And conscience smiles within.

I bless that wondrous purple stream
That whitens every stain:
Yet is my soul but half redeem'd,
If sin, the tyrant, reign.

Lord, blast his empire with thy breath,

That cursed throne must fall;

Ye flattering plagues, that work my death, Fly, for I hate you all.

SOVEREIGNTY AND GRACE.

THE Lord! how fearful is his name!
How wide is his command!
Nature, with all her moving frame,
Rests on his mighty hand.

Immortal glory forms his throne,
And light his awful robe:
Whilst with a smile, or with a frown,
He manages the globe.

A word of his Almighty breath
Can swell or sink the seas;
Build the vast empires of the earth,
Or break them, as he please.

Adoring angels round him fall,
In all their shining forms,

His sovereign eye looks through them all,
And pities mortal worms.

His bowels, to our worthless race,
In sweet compassion move;

He clothes his looks with softest grace,
And takes his title, Love.