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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The Wearisome Weeks of Sickness.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
The Wearisome Weeks of Sickness.
1712 OR 1713.
Thus pass my days away. The cheerful sun
Rolls round the gilds the world with lightsome beams,
Alas, in vain to me; cut off alike
From the bless'd labours, and the joys of life:
While my sad minutes in their tiresome train
Serve but to number out my heavy sorrows.
By night I count the clock; perhaps eleven,
Or twelve, or one; then with a wishful sigh
Call on the ling'ring hours, ‘Come two, come five:
‘When will the day-light come?’ Make haste, ye mornings,
Ye evening-shadows haste; wear out these days,
These tedious rounds of sickness, and conclude
The weary week for ever—
Then the sweet day of sacred rest returns,
Sweet day of rest, devote to God and heaven,
And heav'nly business, purposes divine,
Angelic work: But not to me returns
Rest with the day: Ten thousand hurrying thoughts
Bear me away tumultuous far from heaven
And heavenly work. In vain I heave, and toil,
And wrestle with my inward foes in vain,
O'erpower'd and vanquish'd still: They drag me down
From things celestial, and confine my sense
To present maladies. Unhappy state,
Where the poor spirit is subdu'd t'endure
Unholy idleness, a painful absence!
And bound to bear the agonies and woes
From God, and heaven, and angel's blessed work,
That sickly flesh on shatter'd nerves impose.
How long, O Lord, how long?
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |