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Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects

Occasionally Composed By An Eminent Author. Collected and Published by Sergeant-Major P. F. [i.e. James Howell]

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Upon a Fit of DISCONSOLATION, or Despondency of Spirit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Upon a Fit of DISCONSOLATION, or Despondency of Spirit.

Early and late, both night and day,
By Moon-shine and the Suns bright Ray,
When spangling Stars emboss'd the Sky,
And deck'd the Worlds vast Canopy,
I sought the Lord of Light and Life,
But Oh my Lord kept out of sight.

82

As at all Times, so evry Place
I made my Church to seek his Face:
In Forests, Chases, Parks and Woods,
On Mountains, Meadows, Fields and Floods
I sought the Lord of Life and Light,
But still my Lord kept out of sight.
On Neptun's back, when I could see
But few pitch'd planks 'twixt Death and me,
In Freedom and in Bondage long,
With Groans and Cries, with Pray'r and Song,
I sought the Lord of Life and Light,
But still my Lord kept out of sight.
In Chamber, Closet, (swoln with Tears)
I sent up Vows for my Arrears;
In Chappel, Church and Sacrament,
(The Souls Ambrosian Nourishment)
I sought the Lord of Life and Light:
But still my Lord kept out of sight.
What? is mild Heaven turn'd to Brass,
That neither sigh nor sob can pass?
Is all Commerce 'Twixt Earth and Sky
Cut off from Adams Progeny?
That thus the Lord of Life and Light
Should so, so long keep out of sight?

83

Such Passions did my mind assail,
Such terrours did my spirits quail,
When lo, a beam of Grace shot out
Through the dark clouds of sin and doubt,
Which did such quickning sparkles dart,
That pierc'd the centre of my heart.
O how my spirits came again,
How evry cranny of my brain
Was fill'd with heat and wonderment,
With joy and ravishing content,
When thus the Lord of Life and Light
Did re-appeer unto my sight?
Learn Sinners hence, 'tis nere too late
To knock and cry at Heavens gate;
That Begger's bless'd who doth not faint,
But re-inforceth still his plaint:
The longer that the Lord doth hide his Face,
More bright will be his after-beams of Grace.