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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| 6. | Sixth Day. |
 | The poetical works of Thomas Traherne |  |
Sixth Day.
1
When first the teeming Waters had brought forthTheir Births, from East to West, from South to North,
Fish fill'd the Sea, and Fowls the Air,
The Earth alone remaining bare.
For though it had been furnish'd out so well,
Yet no Inhabitant on Earth did dwell.
2
The Earth was all throughout as Eden fair;How fine, how goodly were the Plants she bare?
But yet no Animal was seen,
Nothing with Sense on Earth had been.
Till now th' Almighty did from Heaven look,
And into Being living Forms bespoke.
3
The pregnant Earth a second time did bear,Not Herbs, nor Shrubs, nor Trees did now appear,
As at the first, from her to spring;
But nobler Births did to her cling.
With Life and Sense endu'd, these from her came,
Compleatly good, and naught in them to blame.
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4
The harmless Lion with the Lamb did play,And Leopards on the Sheep did never prey:
There nothing was that did destroy:
There nothing was that did annoy:
But all was love, and perfect Harmony;
All did the Maker's Goodness testify.
5
But still the Heir was wanted to appear,Till God at length was pleased to draw near:
And as the Earth his Feet did touch,
The blooming Earth did streightway blush;
Her Dust a lovely red did richly die:
No Tyrian Stain could with it ever vie.
6
And from this ruddy Earth there did ariseA beauteous Form, such as no mortal Eyes
Have ever yet on Earth beheld,
Since hither we have been expell'd,
From Eden's glorious East, with Beasts to dwell
In this vile World, which Sin has made an Hell.
7
The Beasts and Birds did all admiring stand,So fair a Shape to view, which God's own Hand
Had just produc'd with Art divine,
In which all Beauties did combine.
And, lo! a rushing Breath from Heaven came,
Which kindled presently the vital Flame.
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8
The noble Godlike Form was then proclaimedThe King of Earth, and God's Vicegerent nam'd.
His Subjects him did recognise,
Whose Glory did them all surprise.
It was God's Glory which on him did rest,
And with majestick Awe did him invest.
9
Whilst infinitely greater Majesty,And Awe, and Dread, and justest Sov'reignty,
In his Creator does appear;
Enough to challenge ev'ry where
The utmost Duty Angels or Men can pay,
The strictest Service, and without Delay.
10
For shame then, O my guilty Soul, beginTo weep, lament, and wash away thy Sin.
Begin before it be too late;
Beg Pardon for thy Faults so great;
Repent, amend thy Life, amend thy Ways,
He's blest that his Creator's Will obeys.
11
And since to please thee nothing I can doWithout thy Grace, thy Grace do thou bestow,
O God, that furnish'd I may be
With sufficient Strength from thee,
To conquer all Temptations that arise
To whatsoever sort of Sin, or Vice.
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12
That thankful, holy, happy I may be,May please thee here, and to Eternity
May bless thee with a cheerful Voice,
And with the Saints, who all rejoice
To warble forth thy Praises, may
Enjoy thee in an everlasting Day.
Amen.
| The poetical works of Thomas Traherne | |