University of Virginia Library

Who makes Omnipotence his Aid,
Who rests beneath Jehovah's shade,
And joyful cries, “My God, in Thee
“My Fortress and my Hope I see,
“And, stedfast, on the Arm divine
“My trust in each distress recline,”
How blest that Man! — Thy Maker's care
Shall snatch thee from the hunter's fnare:
When sick'ning Nature's pow'rs shall fail,
No fatal stroke shall Thee assail:
His wings around thee shall be spread,
His pinions guard thy favour'd head.
His Truth thy shield, nor terror pale
By night shall o'er thy soul prevail,
Nor shaft, that aims its flight by day,
Thy guiltless bosom shall dismay;
Nor Plague, that with gigantic stride
In darkness walks its circuit wide,
Nor sultry blast, whose dreaded breath
Taints the meridian air with death.
Though thousands by thy side are slain,
And myriads round thee press the plain,
No dart shall thy destruction dare,
Or wound whom God has bid to spare.
Each foe before thine eyes o'erthrown,
Still shalt thou pass in triumph on,
And, since thy heart, to God resign'd,
In him its refuge boasts to find,
Behold him on each impious head
The fulness of his vengeance shed.
No dangers shall thy path await,
Or touch thine interdicted gate.
While, round thee plac'd, th' Angelic Train
Thy steps with tend'rest care sustain,
Safe shalt thou walk through ways unknown,
Nor strike thy foot against the stone.
Go, fearless on the Dragon tread,
And press the prostrate Lion's head:
Behold the Tyrant of the wood
(In vain with youthful strength indu'd,)
Behold the Serpent (in his veins
Though half the poison of the plains
Be lodg'd,) before thee vanquish'd lie,
And close in death their languid eye.

Thy duteous Zeal, thy filial Love,
I mark, and all thy Acts approve:
For this, thy head aloft I rear,
Bow to thy pray'r the willing ear,
Thy fears avert, thy griefs attend,
(Thy God, thy Guardian, and thy Friend,)
Thy years prolong; and to thy heart
My health-dispensing grace impart.