20 AN ØDE FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY. Addison. a streak of lightning clears the day, nor made his amorous complaint: GRAND CHORUS. 6 And now the choir compleat rejoices, till, wafted by a gentle breeze, AN ODE. 1 The spacious firmament on high, and spangled heavens, a shining frame, Th' unweary'd sun, from day to day, does his Creator's power display; and publishes, to every land, the work of an Almighty hand. 2 Soon as the evening shades prevail, the moon takes up the wonderous tale; and nightly, to the listening earth, repeats the story of her birth: whilst all the stars that round her burn, and all the planets, in their turn, confirm the tidings as they roll, and spread the truth from pole to pole. 3 What tho', in solemn silence, all move round the dark terrestrial ball; what tho', no real voice, nor sound, amidst their radiant orbs be found: in Reason's ear they all rejoice, and utter forth a glorious voice; for ever singing as they shine, the hand that made us is divine. AN HYMN. 1 When all thy mercies, O my God, transported with the view, I'm lost 2 O how shall words with equal warmth the gratitude declare, that glows within my ravish'd heart! 3 Thy Providence my life sustain'd, 4 To all my weak complaints and cries, ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt to form themselves in prayer. 5 Unnumber'd comforts to my soul thy tender care bestow'd, before my infant heart conceiv'd from whence these comforts flow'd. 6 When in the slippery paths of youth with heedless steps I ran, thine arm unseen convey'd me safe, 7 Through hidden dangers, toils, and death, it gently clear'd my way; and through the pleasing snares of vice, 8 When worn with sickness, oft hast thou 9 Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss and in a kind and faithful friend hast doubled all my store. 2 10 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts 12 When Nature fails, and day and night my ever-grateful heart, O Lord, 13 Through all eternity to thee, AN ODE. 1 How are thy servants blest, O Lord! 2 In foreign realms, and lands remote, through burning climes I pass'd unhurt, 3 Thy mercy sweeten'd every soil, 4 Think, O my soul, devoutly think, thou saw'st the wide-extended deep, in all i'ts horrors rise.. 5 Confusion dwelt in every face, and fear in every heart; when waves on waves, and gulphs on gulphs, o'ercame the pilot's art. 6 Yet then from all my griefs, O Lord, whilst, in the confidence of prayer, 7 For tho' in dreadful whirls we hung I knew thou wert not slow to hear, 8 The storm was laid, the winds retir'd, the sea, that roar'd at thy command, 9 In midst of dangers, fears, and death, and praise thee for thy mercies past, 10 My life, if thou preserv'st my life, and death, if death must be my doom, AN HYMN. 1 When rising from the bed of death, I see my Maker face to face; |