Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . l returning pain. Hands full of hearty labours ; pains that pay And prize themselves : do much, that more they may, And work for work, not wages ; let to-morrows New drops wash off the sweat of this days sorrows. A long and daily-dying life, which breathes A respiration of reviving deaths. But neither are there those ignoble stings That nip the bosom of the worlds best things And lash earth-labouring souls ; No cruel guard of diligent cares, that keep Crownd woes awake ; as things too wise for sleep ; CHAHACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS.
Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . l returning pain. Hands full of hearty labours ; pains that pay And prize themselves : do much, that more they may, And work for work, not wages ; let to-morrows New drops wash off the sweat of this days sorrows. A long and daily-dying life, which breathes A respiration of reviving deaths. But neither are there those ignoble stings That nip the bosom of the worlds best things And lash earth-labouring souls ; No cruel guard of diligent cares, that keep Crownd woes awake ; as things too wise for sleep ; CHAHACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS. 285 But reverend discipline, and religious fear,And soft obedience, find sweet biding here ;Silence, and sacred rest; peace, and pure joys ;Kind loves keep house, lie close, and make no noise,And room enough for monarchs, while none swellsBeyond the kingdoms of contentful self-remembering soul sweetly recoversHer kindred with the stars ; not basely hoversBelow ; but meditates her immortal wayHome to the original source of light, and 286 CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS. CONSTANCY IN VIRTUE. George Wither. Nor hath this my rare hope stoodSo much in her being good,(With her love to sacred things)As in her aeknowledgings,From a higher power to have them,And her love to Him who gave although to have a mindNaturally to good inclined,(And to love it) would assureReason that it might endure ;Yet (since man was first unjust)Theres no warrant for such that most wonder win,Would converted be to sin,If their flourishings began,From no better root than best virtues when they are,Of themselves we may compare,To the beauty of a flower,That is blasted in an hour,And, which, growing to be fuller,Turns into some loathed those being freely given,And confirmed in us by heaven, CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS. 287 Have a promise on them pastAnd for evermore shall last,Diamond-like their lustre clearingMore and more by use and wearing. P
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectreligio, bookyear1848
