A collection of poems on various subjects including the theatre, a didactic essay; in the course of which are pointed out, the rocks and shoals to which deluded adventurers are inevitably exposed. Ornamented with cuts and illustrated with notes, original letters and curious incidental anecdotes [by Samuel Whyte] |
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A PICTURE OF RELIGION,
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 | A collection of poems on various subjects |  |
A PICTURE OF RELIGION,
FROM THE FRENCH OF MR. J. BERNE.
Why does my breast with sudden transports glow?
My ravish'd soul what new-felt ardors fire?
What mystic visions down the welkin flow,
Charm fancy's eye and my rapt thoughts inspire?
My ravish'd soul what new-felt ardors fire?
What mystic visions down the welkin flow,
Charm fancy's eye and my rapt thoughts inspire?
221
Behold Religion's heavenly form appears!
And lo! she grasps no thunders in her hand!
No priestly fury on her brow she wears!
Nor scatters strife and terror thro' the land!
And lo! she grasps no thunders in her hand!
No priestly fury on her brow she wears!
Nor scatters strife and terror thro' the land!
Before her steps, see! superstition flies,
And bigot fury mourns her power o'erthrown;
Chain'd at her feet oppression prostrate lies,
And persecution blasted by her frown.
And bigot fury mourns her power o'erthrown;
Chain'd at her feet oppression prostrate lies,
And persecution blasted by her frown.
Mild to command, and gentle to persuade,
Peace in her looks, and blessings in her hands,
Sweet charity attends, in smiles array'd,
And calm benevolence before her stands.
Peace in her looks, and blessings in her hands,
Sweet charity attends, in smiles array'd,
And calm benevolence before her stands.
Gay hope, soft pity from the skies descend;
With lively faith her influence to maintain;
Reason and justice at each side attend,
With every social virtue in their train.
With lively faith her influence to maintain;
Reason and justice at each side attend,
With every social virtue in their train.
Such is her form!—all gentleness and joy,
She claims her fair dominion o'er the mind;
No flames to burn, no dungeons to destroy,
No whips to torture and enslave mankind.
She claims her fair dominion o'er the mind;
No flames to burn, no dungeons to destroy,
No whips to torture and enslave mankind.
222
May heaven her presence thro' the world extend,
And to her precepts every heart incline;
I ask no more, if she her succour lend,
Wealth, fame and honour gladly I resign.
And to her precepts every heart incline;
I ask no more, if she her succour lend,
Wealth, fame and honour gladly I resign.
| A collection of poems on various subjects | |