The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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Bewailing my own Inconstancy.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
Bewailing my own Inconstancy.
I
I love the Lord; but ah! how farMy thoughts from the dear object are!
This wanton heart, how wide it roves!
And fancy meets a thousand loves.
II
If my soul burn to see my God,I tread the courts of his abode,
But troops of rivals throng the place
And tempt me off before his face.
III
Would I enjoy my Lord alone,I bid my passions all be gone,
All but my love; and charge my will
To bar the door and guard it still.
IV
But cares, or trifles, make, or find,Still new avenues to the mind,
Till I with grief and wonder see
Huge crowds betwixt the Lord and me
V
Oft I am told the muse will proveA friend to piety and love;
Straight I begin some sacred song,
And take my Saviour on my tongue.
VI
Strangely I lose his lovely face,To hold the empty sounds in chase;
At best the chimes divide my heart,
And the muse shares the larger part.
VII
False confident! and falser breast!Fickle, and fond of ev'ry guest:
Each airy image as it flies,
Here finds admittance thro' my eyes.
VIII
This foolish heart can leave her God,And shadows tempt her thoughts abroad:
How shall I fix this wand'ring mind?
Or throw my fetters on the wind?
IX
Look gently down, almighty Grace,Prison me round in thine embrace;
Pity the soul that would be thine,
And let thy pow'r my love confine.
X
Say, when shall thy bright moment beThat I shall live alone for thee,
My heart no foreign lords adore,
And the wild muse prove false no more?
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |