The poetical works of Thomas Traherne faithfully reprinted from the author's original manuscript together with Poems of Felicity reprinted from the Burney manuscript and Poems from Various Sources: Edited with preface and notes by Gladys I. Wade |
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| 4. | § 4. POEMS FROM A SERIOUS AND PATHETICAL CONTEMPLATION OF THE MERCIES OF GOD. |
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 | The poetical works of Thomas Traherne |  |
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§ 4. POEMS FROM A SERIOUS AND PATHETICAL CONTEMPLATION OF THE MERCIES OF GOD.
Thanksgivings for the Body.—I.
While I, O Lord, exalted by thy hand,Above the Skies in Glory seem to stand:
The Skies being made to serve me, as they do,
While I thy Glories in thy Goodness view.
To be in Glory higher than the Skies,
Is greater bliss, than 'tis in place to rise
Above the Stars: More blessed and divine,
To live and see, than like the Sun to shine.
O what Profoundness in my Body lies,
For whom the Earth was made, the Sea, the Skies!
So greatly high our humane Bodies are,
That Angels scarcely may with these compare.
In all the heights of Glory seated, they,
Above the Sun in thine eternal day,
Are seen to shine; with greater gifts adorn'd
Than Gold with Light, or Flesh with Life suborn'd
Suns are but Servants! Skies beneath their feet;
The Stars but Stones; Moons but to serve them meet.
Beyond all heights above the World they reign,
In thy great Throne ordained to remain.
All Tropes are Clouds; Truth doth it self excel,
Whatever Heights, Hyperboles can tell.
Thanksgivings for the Body.—II.
Then shall each Limb a spring of Joy be found,And ev'ry Member with its Glory crown'd:
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That ever Ages in them understood,
Transported are: Containing Worlds of Treasure,
At one Delight with all their Joy and Pleasure.
From whence, like Rivers, Joy shall overflow,
Affect the Soul, though in the Body grow.
Return again, and make the Body shine
Like Jesus Christ, while both in one combine,
Mysterious Contracts are between the Soul,
Which touch the Spirits, and by those its Bowl:
The Marrow, Bowels, Spirits, melt and move,
Dissolving ravish, teach them how to love.
He that could bring the Heavens thro the Eye,
And make the World within the Fancy lie,
By beams of Light that closing meet in one,
From all the Parts of His celestial Throne,
Far more than this in framing Bliss can do,
Inflame the Body and the Spirit too:
Can make the Soul by Sense to feel and see,
And with her Joy the Senses wrap'd to be.
Yea while the Flesh or Body subject lies
To those Affections which in Souls arise;
All holy Glories from the Soul redound,
And in the Body by the Soul abound,
Are felt within, and ravish ev'ry Sense,
With all the Godhead's glorious Excellence:
Who found the way himself to dwell within,
As if even Flesh were nigh to him of kin.
His Goodness, Wisdom, Power, Love divine,
Make, by the Soul convey'd, the Body shine.
Not like the Sun (that earthly Darkness is)
But in the strengths and heights of all this bliss.
For God designs thy Body, for his sake,
A Temple of the Deity to make.
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Thanksgivings for the Beauty of his Providence.
1
These sweeter far than Lillies are,No Roses may with these compare!
How these excel
No Tongue can tell!
Which he that well and truly knows,
With praise and joy he goes.
How great and happy's he, that knows his Ways,
To be divine and heavenly Joys!
To whom each City is more brave,
Than Walls of Pearl, and Streets which Gold doth pave:
Whose open eyes
Behold the Skies;
Who loves their Wealth and Beauty more,
Than Kings love golden Ore!
2
Who sees the heavenly antient Ways,Of GOD the Lord, with Joy and Praise;
More than the Skies,
With open Eyes,
Doth prize them all: yea more than Gems
And Regal Diadems.
That more esteemeth Mountains as they are,
Than if they Gold and Silver were:
To whom the SUN more pleasure brings,
Than Crowns and Thrones, and Palaces, to Kings.
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To be the Joys,
And Way of God. These things who knows,
With Joy and Praise he goes!
| The poetical works of Thomas Traherne | |