Minor Poems, including Napoleon By Bernard Barton. Second Edition, with Additions |
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EARLY RISING AND PRAYER.
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 | Minor Poems, including Napoleon |  |
191
EARLY RISING AND PRAYER.
MODERNIZED FROM VAUGHAN'S SILEX SCINTILLANS.
I
When first thy opening eyes receiveThe glorious light of day,
Give thy awakening spirit leave
To be as blest as they.
II
Our outward organs well may teachIts duty to the soul;
And thoughts ascend, that need not speech,
Unto their heavenly goal.
III
For hearts, whose love to God is true,Should open with the day:
As flowers impearl'd with morning dew
Their tenderest tints display.
192
IV
Give God thy waking thoughts, that He,Throughout the day, may keep
Thy spirit company, and be
Its guardian while asleep.
V
Yet sleep not when the sun has risen,For prayer with day should rise;
And holiest thoughts, set free from prison,
Should soar above the skies.
VI
There are appointed hours betweenOur souls and love divine;
Nothing of earth should intervene
To mar their blest design.
VII
The manna's heavenly charm was goneWith morning's stainless dews;
And flowers on which the sun has shone
Their sweetest perfume lose!
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VIII
Then let not needless slumber glutMorn's glories by its sin:
When this world's gates are closest shut,
Heaven's open:—enter in!
IX
Walk out beneath the roseate skies,Eye, ear, and heart awake;
List to the melodies that rise
From tree, from bush, and brake.
X
Each fluttering leaf, each murmuring spring,The great I AM doth own;
To Him the soaring sky-larks sing
In music's sweetest tone.
XI
Canst thou not sing? O! leave thy caresAnd follies; go thy way!
And morning's praises, morning's prayers,
Go with thee through the day!
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XII
Serve God before the world below;Nor suffer, unimplor'd,
That blessing from thy path to go,
He only can afford.
XIII
This done, to him resign thy will,Who never will forsake
Those who, like Jacob, wrestle still,
As day begins to break.
XIV
Weep for thy sins,—to Him applyWho can those sins forgive;
But know that self and pride must die
Before thy soul can live.
XV
Mornings are emblems, shadowing forth,Unto the spirit's eye,
Man's resurrection, and the birth
Of hopes that cannot die.
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XVI
The glorious star which speaks them near,Like that of Bethlehem,
Is life, and light!—its rise more dear
Than crown or diadem.
XVII
But when the morning's prime is past,And worldly cares are rife,
May thy soul's harmony outlast
The daily din of life!
XVIII
Keep well thy temper;—mingle notWith aught that thou shalt find,
Which may its lingering brightness blot,
Or chase it from thy mind.
XIX
Despatch whatever must be done;Life hath a load to bear,
Which may be borne; a path to run,
Beset with many a care.
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XX
Keep such without; and let thy heartBe still thy God's alone;
And He, thy spirit's better part,
Shall bless thee as his own!
| Minor Poems, including Napoleon | |