 | Hymns and Poems |  |
XXI. THE SOUL. A COMPARISON.
A narrow brooklet ill befits
The ship in gallant trim,
Destined across the ocean waves
With precious freight to swim.
The ship in gallant trim,
Destined across the ocean waves
With precious freight to swim.
So, too, the heart confined to earth
A stranded object lies;
Meant by its Maker to maintain
Communion with the skies.
A stranded object lies;
Meant by its Maker to maintain
Communion with the skies.
O my poor bark, so long aground,
Expand thy drooping sail;
Forsake the limitary coast,
And catch the open gale.
Expand thy drooping sail;
Forsake the limitary coast,
And catch the open gale.
440
It ill becomes thine origin,
Thy destiny sublime,
To lie immersed in vanities
Upon the shoal of time.
Thy destiny sublime,
To lie immersed in vanities
Upon the shoal of time.
Let not a petty earthly pool
That noble keel detain,
Bound with immortal freight to cross
Th' illimitable main!
That noble keel detain,
Bound with immortal freight to cross
Th' illimitable main!
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