 | Poetical works (1908) |  |
[The Beatific Vision.]
I
How is't, my soul, that thou giv'st eyes their sightTo view their objects, yet hast none
To see thine own?
Earths, ayers, Heav'ns beauties they discern; their light
Fair flowers admires; their several dresses,
Their golden tresses;
The Lilly, Rose, the various Tulip, scorning
The pride of Princes in their choice adorning.
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II
They joy to view the ayers painted Nations;The Peacocks train, which th' head out vies
With fairer eyes,
And emulats the heav'nly constellations;
The Ostrich, whose fair plume embraves
Kings, Captains, Slaves;
The Halcions, whose Triton-bills appease
Curl'd waves, and with their Eggs lay stormy seas.
III
Pilots fixt eyes observe the Artick Bear,With all her unwasht Starry trains
In Heav'nly plains.
Night-Travellers behold the Moon to steer
Her Ship, sailing (while Eol raves)
Through cloudy waves:
Our less Worlds sunns with pleasure view the light
Which gives all beauties beauty, them their sight.
IV
Thou that giv'st sight to clay, to blackness lightHow art so dull, so dimm in duty
To view his beauty,
Who quickens every life, lights every light?
His height those Eagles eyes surpasses;
Thou wants thy glasses:
Take up that Perspective, and view those streams
Of light, and fill thy waning Orb with beams.
V
Then see the flowers clad in his Liveries,And from his cheek, and lovely face
Steal all their grace.
See Fouls from him borrow their braveries,
And all their feather-painted dresses
From his fair tresses:
See Starrs, and Moon, the Sun, and all perfection
Beg light, and life from his bright eyes reflection.
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VI
Look on his lipps; heav'ns gate there open lies:Thence that grace-breathing Spirit blows,
Thence honey flowes.
Look on his hands, the Worlds full treasuries;
Fix all thy looks his heart upon,
Loves highest Throne.
And when thy sight that radiant beauty blears,
And dazels thy weak eyes; see with thine ears.
| Poetical works (1908) | |