University of Virginia Library

previous section The Poetical Works of the late Christopher Anstey
next section

13.

[_]

Verse 13.—And now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Charity.

Whilst in these gloomy vales of life we stray,
Hope cheers our souls, and Faith directs our way;
But when to yon bright realms of joy we soar,
Faith shall expire, and Hope be known no more:
Faith shall be lost in Certainty's abyss,
And Hope absorb'd in everlasting Bliss;
But Thee, Thou fairest Grace, nor death, nor doom,
Nor ever-rolling ages shall consume,
335

Thou with congenial spirits mix'd above
Shall fill all Heaven with Harmony and Love,
In splendor seen, and full perfection known
Thy station fix by God's eternal throne;
There with compassion all our errors scan,
And plead the cause of frail and sinful Man.
previous section The Poetical Works of the late Christopher Anstey
next section