Or tempt my soul away; His lovely form meets every dream, Through all my veins, And floating round the crimson stream, Still finds him at my heart. Dwell there, for ever dwell, my love; Nor dare my wildest wishes rove And lose their nature in the embrace. Thou art my ocean, thou my God; Who could ever bear to be Curst with immortality Among the stars, but far from thee? MUTUAL LOVE STRONGER THAN DEATH. NOT the rich world of minds above With pangs which none but he could feel, Kindly he seiz'd me in his arms, From the false world's pernicious charms, With force divinely sweet. Had I ten thousand lives my own, At his demand, With cheerful hand, I'd pay the vital treasure down In hourly tributes at his feet. But, Saviour, let me taste thy grace With every fleeting breath; And through that heaven of pleasure pass Fast as the minutes fly; So billow after billow rolls To kiss the shore, and die. A SIGHT OF CHRIST. The substance of the following copy, and many of the lines, were sent me by an esteemed friend, Mr. W. Nokes, with a desire that I would form them into a Pindaric Ode; but I retained his measures, lest I should too much alter his sense. ANGELS of light, your God and King surround, He claims your worship; while his saints on earth Once I beheld his face, when beams divine Broke from his eyelids, and unusual light Wrapt me at once in glory and surprise. My joyful heart, high leaping in my breast, While he appears, no other charms can hold Or draw my soul, asham'd of former things, Which no remembrance, now deserve or name, Though with contempt; best in oblivion hid. But the bright shine and presence soon withdrew; I sought him whom I love, but found him not; I felt his absence; and with strongest cries Proclaim'd, "Where Jesus is not all is vain." Whether I hold him with a full delight, Or seek him, panting with extreme desire, 'Tis he alone can please my wondering soul; To hold or seek him is my only choice. If he refrain on me to cast his. Down from his palace, nor my longing soul With upward look can spy my dearest Lord Through his blue pavement, I behold him still, With sweet reflection on the peaceful cross, All in his blood and anguish groaning deep, Gasping and dying there..... eye This sight I ne'er can lose; by it I live: I live, I'm strong, and now eternal life Beats quick within my breast; my vigorous mind Counsels of peace betwixt the Almighty Three, With vast amaze, I see the unfathomed thoughts, Of God's own heart, in which he ever rests. Here the beginning and the end of all O that the day, the joyful day, were come, When the first Adam from his ancient dust Crown'd with new honours shall revive, and see Jesus his Son and Lord; while shouting saints Surround their King, and God's eternal Son Shines in the midst, but with superior beams, And like himself; then the mysterious word, Long hid behind the letter, shall appear All spirit and life, and in the fullest light Stand forth to public view; and there disclose His Father's sacred works, and wondrous ways: Then wisdom, righteousness and grace divine, Through all the infinite transactions past, Inwrought and shining, shall with double blaze |