Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . lory be the Almightys throne, Darkness is His pavilion ;From that, His radiant beauty, but from theeHe has His terror and His majesty :Thus when He first proclaimed His sacred law, And would His rebel subjects awe,Like princes on some great solemnity,He appeared in robes of state, and clad Himself withthee. CONTEMPLATION. 217 The blessd above do thy sweet umbrage prize,When, cloyed with light, they veil their eyes ; The vision of the Deity is made More sweet and beatific by thy shade ; But we, poor tenants of this orb below,Dont
Church poetry : or, Christian thoughts in old and modern verse . lory be the Almightys throne, Darkness is His pavilion ;From that, His radiant beauty, but from theeHe has His terror and His majesty :Thus when He first proclaimed His sacred law, And would His rebel subjects awe,Like princes on some great solemnity,He appeared in robes of state, and clad Himself withthee. CONTEMPLATION. 217 The blessd above do thy sweet umbrage prize,When, cloyed with light, they veil their eyes ; The vision of the Deity is made More sweet and beatific by thy shade ; But we, poor tenants of this orb below,Dont here thy excellencies know Till death our understandings does improve, And then our wiser ghosts thy silent night-walks love. But thee I now admire, thee would I choose For my religion, or my hard to tell whether thy reverend shadeHas more good votaries, or poets made :From thy dark caves were inspirations given, And from thick groves went vows to , then, thou muses and devotions spring,Tis just we should adore, tis just we should 218 CONTEMPLATION. CHARITAS NIMIA, OR THE DEAR BARGAIN. Crashaw. Lord, what is man ? why should he cost TheeSo dear ? what had his ruin lost Thee ?Lord, what is man ? that thou hast over-boughtSo much a thing of nought. Love is too kind, I see, and canMake but a simple for such sorry merchandiseBold painters have put out his eyes. Alas, sweet Lord, what wert to TheeIf there were no such worms as we ?Heaven neer the less still Heaven would mankind dwellIn the deep Hell,What have his woes to do with Thee ? Let him go weepOer his own wounds ;Seraphims will not sleep,Nor spheres let fall their faithful rounds. CONTEMPLATION. 219 Still would the youthful spirits sing,And still Thy spacious palace would those beauteous ministers of light Burn all as brightAnd bow their flaming heads before Thee,Still thrones and dominations would adore Thee,Still would those ever wakeful sons of fire Keep
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectreligio, bookyear1848
