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."

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.

Still, however, life was safe;

And I saw him turn and laugh:

66

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."

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.

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.

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.

Yet he leaves me-cruel fate!

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?

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.

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

BELOVED.

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.

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.

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."

These sweet and secret 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!