The Poetical Works of John Payne Definitive Edition in Two Volumes |
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| II. |
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WITH A COPY OF HENRY VAUGHAN'S
SACRED POEMS. |
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 | The Poetical Works of John Payne |  |
WITH A COPY OF HENRY VAUGHAN'S SACRED POEMS.
LAY down thy burden at this gate and knock.What if the world without be dark and drear?
For there be fountains of refreshment here
Sweeter than all the runnels of the rock.
Hark! even to thy hand upon the lock
A wilding warble answers, loud and clear,
That falls as fain upon the heart of fear
As shepherds' songs unto the folded flock.
This is the quiet wood-church of the soul.
Be thankful, heart, to him betimes that stole,
Some Easter morning, through the golden door—
Haply ajar for early prayer to rise—
And brought thee back from that song-flowered shore
These haunting harmonies of Paradise.
| The Poetical Works of John Payne | |