Poems on Several Occasions To which is added Gondibert and Birtha, A Tragedy. By William Thompson |
 | 1. |
THE NEW LYRE.
To a Friend. |
| 2. |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
191
THE NEW LYRE. To a Friend.
I
I strung my Lyre, when Love appear'd,Demanding a light-wanton Lay:
Christ! I began—the Trifler heard,
And shook his Wings, and pass'd away.
II
The Strings rebellious to my HandRefuse to charm: in vain I sue,
The Strings are mute to my Demand—
I broke the old, and form'd a new.
III
Christ! I began: the sacred LyreResponsive swell'd with Notes divine,
And warm'd Me with Seraphic-fire:
Sweet Jesus, I am only Thine!
192
IV
O wake to Life this springing Grace,And water with thy heavenly Dew:
Display the Glories of thy Face,
My Spirit and my Heart renew!
V
Direct my Soul, direct my Hand:—O blessed Change! Thy Pow'r I feel:
My Numbers flow at thy Command,
My Strings with holy Raptures swell.
VI
And, You, whose pious Pains unfoldThose Truths, receive this Tribute due;
You once endur'd my Muse of Old,
Nor scorn the Firstfruits of the New.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |