But when from the meridian star Long streaks of glory shine, The music ascends her heavenly car, [divine. And climbs the steepy path, and means the throne Then she leaves my fluttering mind Clogg'd with clay, and unrefin'd, Virtue lags, with heavy wheel; Oh! why is piety so weak, And yet the muse so strong? And heavy flesh drags me the downward way. And mortal passion charms my soul astray, And call me high To mingle with the choirs of glory and of bliss. Devotion there begins the flight, Awakes the song, and guides the way; There love and zeal, divine and bright, Trace out new regions in the world of light, And scarce the boldest muse can follow or obey. I'm in a dream, and fancy reigns, Behold religion on her throne, In awful state descending down, And her dominions, vast and bright, within my spacious view. She smiles, and with a courteous hand She beckons me away; I feel mine airy powers loose from the cumbrous clay, And with a joyful haste obey Religion's high command. What lengths and heights and depths unknown! Broad fields with blooming glory sown, And seas, and skies, and stars her own, What heavens of joy, and light serene, A long farewell to all below, Farewell to all that sense can show, To golden scenes, and flowery fields, Now the swift transports of the mind Leave the fluttering muse behind, A thousand loose Pindaric plumes fly scattering down the wind. Amongst the clouds I lose my breath, Can trace the boundless flights of an unfetter'd mind, And raise an equal song. THE HAZARD OF LOVING THE CREATURES. The following Poems of this Book are peculiarly dedicated to Divine Love.1 WHERE'ER my flattering passions rove, I find a lurking snare; 'Tis dangerous to let loose our love Beneath the Eternal Fair. Souls whom the tie of friendship binds, And partners of our blood, Nature has soft but powerful bands, And reason she controls; While children, with their little hands, 1 Different ages have their different airs and fashions of writing. It was much more the fashion of the age, when these Poems were written, to treat of divine subjects in the style of Solomon's Song, than it is at this day, which will afford some apology for the writer in his youngest years. Thoughtless, they act the old serpent's part; Lord, how they twine about our heart, Our hasty wills rush blindly on And thus we make our fetters strong Dear Sovereign! break these fetters off, And set our spirits free; God in himself is bliss enough, DESIRING TO LOVE CHRIST. COME, let me love: or is thy mind O! 'tis a thought would melt a rock, That those sweet lips, that heavenly look, Should seek and wish a mortal love! |