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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Strict Religion very rare.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
Strict Religion very rare.
I.
I'm borne aloft, and leave the crowd,I sail upon a morning cloud
Skirted with dawning gold:
Mine eyes beneath the opening day
Command the globe with wide survey,
Where ants in busy millions play,
And tug and heave the mould.
II.
‘Are these the things,’ my passion cry'd,‘That we call men? Are these ally'd
‘To the fair worlds of light?
‘They have ras'd out their Maker's name,
‘Grav'n on their minds with pointed flame
‘In strokes divinely bright.
III.
‘Wretches! they hate their native skies;‘If an ethereal thought arise,
‘Or spark of virtue shine,
‘With cruel force they damp its plumes,
‘Choak the young fire with sensual fumes,
‘With business, lust or wine.
IV.
‘Lo! how they throng with panting breath‘The broad descending road
‘That leads unerring down to death,
‘Nor miss the dark abode.’
Thus while I drop a tear or two
On the wild herd, a noble few
Dare to stray upward, and pursue
Th'unbeaten way to God.
V.
I meet Myrtillo mounting high,I know his candid soul afar;
Here Dorylus and Thyrsis fly,
Each like a rising star,
Charin I saw and Fidea there,
I saw them help each other's flight,
And bless them as they go;
They soar beyond my lab'ring sight,
And leave their loads of mortal care
But not their love below.
On heav'n their home, they fix their eyes,
The temple of their God:
With morning incense up they rise
Sublime, and thro' the lower skies
Spread the perfumes abroad.
VI.
Across the road a seraph flew,‘Mark,’ said he, ‘that happy pair,
‘Marriage helps devotion there:
‘When kindred minds their God pursue
‘They break with double vigour thro'
‘The dull incumbent air.’
Charm'd with the pleasure and surprise
My soul adores and sings,
‘Blest be the pow'r that springs their flight,
‘That streaks their path with heav'nly light,
‘That turns their love to sacrifice,
‘And joins their zeal for wings.’
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |