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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 | The poetical works of Thomas Traherne |  |
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.
| The poetical works of Thomas Traherne | |