The poetical works of Thomas Traherne faithfully reprinted from the author's original manuscript together with Poems of Felicity reprinted from the Burney manuscript and Poems from Various Sources: Edited with preface and notes by Gladys I. Wade |
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 | 3. | PART THREE POEMS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES |
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 | The poetical works of Thomas Traherne |  |
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3. PART THREE POEMS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
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§1. POEMS FROM CENTURIES OF MEDITATIONS.
I
[In Making Bodies Lov could not Express]
In Making Bodies Lov could not ExpressIt self, or Art; unless it made them less.
O what a Monster had in Man been seen,
Had evry Thumb or Toe a Mountain been!
What Worlds must He devour when he did eat?
What Oceans Drink! Yet could not all His Meat
Or Stature, make Him like an Angel Shine;
Or make His Soul in Glory more Divine.
A Soul it is that makes us truly Great,
Whose little Bodies make us more Compleat.
An Understanding that is Infinit,
An Endles, Wide, and Everlasting Sight,
That can Enjoy all Things and nought exclude,
Is the most Sacred Greatnes may be viewd.
Twas inconvenient that His Bulk should be
An Endless Hill; He nothing then could see:
No figure hav, no Motion, Beauty, Place,
No Color, feature, Member, Light, or Grace.
A Body like a Mountain is but Cumber.
An Endless Body is but idle Lumber.
It Spoils Convers, and Time it self devours,
While Meat in vain, in feeding idle Powers.
Excessiv Bulk being most injurious found,
To those Conveniences which Men hav Crownd.
His Wisdom did His Power here repress,
GOD made Man Greater while He made Him less.
212
II
[His Power Bounded, Greater is in Might]
His Power Bounded, Greater is in Might,Then if let loos, twere wholy infinit.
He could hav made an Endless Sea by this.
But then it had not been a Sea of Bliss.
Did Waters from the Centre to the Skies
Ascend, twould drown whatever els we Prize
The Ocean bounded in a finit Shore,
Is better far becaus it is no more.
No Use nor Glory would in that be Seen,
His Power made it Endless in Esteem.
Had not the Sun been bounded in its Sphere,
Did all the World in one fair flame appear
And were that flame a real Infinit
Twould yeeld no Profit Splendor nor Delight.
Its Corps confind, and Beams extended be
Effects of Wisdom in the Dietie.
One Star made infinit would all Exclude.
An Earth made infinit could nere be viewd.
But one being fashioned for the others sake,
He bounding all, did all most usefull make:
And which is best, in Profit and Delight
Tho not in Bulk, they all are infinit.
III On News.
1
News from a forrein Country came,As if my Treasure and my Wealth lay there:
So much it did my Heart Enflame!
Twas wont to call my Soul into mine Ear.
213
The Approaching Sweet:
And on the Thresh hold stood,
To entertain the Unknown Good.
It Hoverd there
As if twould leav mine Ear.
And was so Eager to Embrace
The Joyfull Tidings as they came,
Twould almost leav its Dwelling Place,
To Entertain the Same.
2
As if the Tidings were the Things,My very Joys them selvs, my forrein Treasure,
Or els did bear them on their Wings;
With so much Joy they came, with so much Pleasure.
My Soul stood at the Gate
To recreat
It self with Bliss: And to
Be pleasd with Speed. A fuller View
It fain would take,
Yet Journeys back would make
Unto my Heart: as if twould fain
Go out to meet, yet Stay within
To fit a place, to Entertain,
And bring the Tidings in.
3
What Sacred Instinct did inspireMy Soul in Childhood with a Hope so Strong?
What Secret Force movd my Desire,
To Expect my Joys beyond the Seas, so Yong?
Felicity I knew
Was out of view:
214
I saw that Happiness was gone
From Me! for this,
I Thirsted Absent Bliss,
And thought that sure beyond the Seas,
Or els in som thing near at hand
I knew not yet, (since nought did pleas
I knew:) my Bliss did stand.
4
But little did the Infant DreamThat all the Treasures of the World were by:
And that Himself was so the Cream
And Crown of all, which round about did lie.
Yet thus it was. The Gem,
The Diadem,
The Ring Enclosing all
That Stood upon this Earthy Ball;
The Heavenly Ey,
Much Wider then the Skie,
Wher in they all included were
The Glorious Soul that was the King
Made to possess them, did appear
A Small and little thing!
IV
[A Life of Sabbaths here beneath!]
1
A Life of Sabbaths here beneath!Continual Jubilees and Joys!
The Days of Heaven, while we breath
On Earth! Where Sin all Bliss Destroys.
215
That doth exceed all Appetites.
No Joy can be Compard to this,
It is a Life of Perfect Bliss.
2
Of Perfect Bliss! How can it be?To Conquer Satan, and to Reign
In such a Vale of Miserie,
Where Vipers, Stings and Tears remain;
Is to be Crownd with Victorie.
To be Content, Divine, and free
Even here beneath is Great Delight
And next the Beatifick Sight.
3
But inward Lusts do oft assail,Temptations Work us much Annoy.
Weel therfore Weep, and to prevail
Shall be a more Celestial Joy.
To hav no other Enemie
But one; and to that one to Die:
To fight with that and Conquer it,
Is better than in Peace to Sit.
4
Tis Better for a little time:For He that all His Lusts doth quell,
Shall find this Life to be His Prime,
And vanquish Sin and Conquer Hell.
The Next shall be His Double Joy:
And that which here seemd to Destroy,
Shall in the Other Life appear
A Root of Bliss; a Pearl each Tear.
216
V
[Sin!]
1
Sin!O only fatal Woe,
That makst me Sad and Mourning go!
That all my Joys dost Spoil,
His Kingdom and my Soul Defile!
I Never can Agree
With Thee!
2
Thou!Only Thou! O Thou alone,
And my obdurat Heart of Stone,
The Poyson and the Foes
Of My Enjoyments and Repose,
The only Bitter Ill:
Dost Kill!
3
Oh!I cannot meet with Thee,
Nor once approach thy Memory,
But all my Joys are Dead,
And all my Sacred Treasures fled;
As if I now did Dwell
In Hell.
4
Lord!O hear how Short I Breath!
See how I Tremble here beneath!
217
More Terror, then its Dwelling Place
Contains, (O Dreadfull Sin)
Within!
VI The Recovery.
Sin! wilt Thou vanquish me!
And shall I yeeld the Victory?
Shall all my Joys be Spoild,
And Pleasures Soild
By Thee!
And shall I yeeld the Victory?
Shall all my Joys be Spoild,
And Pleasures Soild
By Thee!
Shall I remain
As one that's Slain
And never more lift up the Head?
Is not my Savior Dead!
His Blood, thy Bane; my Balsam, Bliss, Joy, Wine;
Shall Thee Destroy; Heal, Feed, make me Divine.
As one that's Slain
And never more lift up the Head?
Is not my Savior Dead!
His Blood, thy Bane; my Balsam, Bliss, Joy, Wine;
Shall Thee Destroy; Heal, Feed, make me Divine.
VII
[In Salem dwelt a Glorious King]
1
In Salem dwelt a Glorious King,Raisd from a Shepherds lowly State,
That did his Praises like an Angel Sing
Who did the World Create.
By many great and Bloody Wars,
He was Advanced unto Thrones:
But more Delighted in the Stars,
Then in the Splendor of His precious Stones.
218
The Works of GOD were his Sublime Reward.
2
A Warlike Champion he had been,And Many feats of Chivalrie
Had don: in Kingly Courts his Ey had seen
A Vast Variety
Of Earthly Joys: Yet he despisd
Those fading Honors and fals pleasures
Which are by Mortals so much prizd;
And placd his Happiness in other Treasures
No State of Life which in this World we find
Could yeeld Contentment to his greater Mind.
3
His fingars touchd his Trembling Lyre,And evry Quavering String did yeeld
A Sound that filled all the Jewish Quire,
And Ecchoed in the Field.
No Pleasure was so Great to Him
As in a Silent Night to See
The Moon and Stars: A Cherubim
Abov them even here He seemd to be.
Enflamd with Lov, it was his great Desire,
To Sing Contemplat Ponder and Admire.
4
He was a Prophet, and foresawThings extant in the World to com:
He was a Judg, and ruled by a Law
That than the Hony Comb
Was Sweeter far: He was a Sage,
And all his people could Advise;
An Oracle, whose evry Page
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But most He then Enjoyd Himself when he
Did as a Poet prais the Dietie.
5
A Shepherd, Soldier, and Divine,A Judge, a Courtier, and a King,
Priest, Angel, Prophet, Oracle, did shine
At once; when He did Sing.
Philosopher and Poet too
Did in his Melodie appear;
All these in Him did pleas the View
Of Those that did his Heavenly Musick hear,
And evry Drop that from his flowing Quill
Came down, did all the World with Nectar fill.
6
He had a Deep and perfect SenceOf all the Glories and the Pleasures
That in God's Works are hid, the Excellence
Of such Transcendent Treasures
Made him on Earth an Heavenly King,
And fild his Solitudes with Joy;
He never did more Sweetly Sing
Then when alone, tho that doth Mirth destroy:
Sence did his Soul with Heavenly Life inspire
And made him seem in Gods Celestial Quire.
7
Rich Sacred Deep and Precious ThingsDid here on Earth the Man Surround
With all the Glory of the King of Kings
He was most Strangely Crownd.
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Among the Sons of GOD did see
Things filling Angels with Delight
His Ear did hear their Heavenly Melodie
And when He was alone He all became
That Bliss implied, or did increase his Fame.
8
All Arts He then did ExerciseAnd as his GOD he did Adore,
By Secret Ravishments abov the Skies
He carried was, before
He died. His Soul did see and feel
What others know not; and became
While he before his GOD did kneel,
A Constant Heavenly Pure Seraphick Flame.
O that I might unto His Throne Aspire;
And all His Joys abov the Stars Admire!
§ 2. POEMS FROM THE BOOK OF PRIVATE DEVOTIONS.
I
[Unto the Spring of Purest Life]
1
Unto the Spring of Purest LifeAspires my Withered Heart,
My Soul confined in this Flesh
Employs both Strength and Art
Working, Strugling, Suing still,
From Exile, home to part.
221
2
Who can utter the full JoyWhich that High Place doth hold,
Where all the Buildings founded are
On Orient Pearls untold.
And all the Work of those High rooms
Doth Shine with Beams of Gold.
3
The Season is not Changd, but stillBoth Sun and Moon are Bright,
The Lamb of this fair City is
That Clear Immortal Light
Whose Presence makes Eternal Day
Which never Ends in Night.
4
Nay all the Saints them selvs shall Shine,As Bright as Brightest Sun;
In fullest Triumph Crowned, They
To Mutual Joys shall run:
And safely count their Fights and Foes
When once the War is don.
5
For being freed from all Defect,They feel no fleshly War;
Or rather both the Flesh and Mind
At length united are.
For Joying in so Rich a Peace,
They can admit no Jar:
222
6
Being Cheerfull, Clear, and Content,They from Mishaps are Free.
No Sickness there can threaten Health,
Nor Yong men Old can be.
There they Enjoy such Happy State,
That in't no Change they see.
7
Who Know the Knower of all Things,What can they chuse but Know?
They all behold each others Hearts
And all their Secrets Shew.
One Act of Will, and of not Will,
From all their Minds do flow.
8
Tho all their Merits Divers beAccording to their Pains,
Yet LOV doth make that evry ones
Which any other gains.
And all which doth belong to One
To all of them pertains.
9
O Happy Soul, which shalt beholdThis King still present there;
And mayst from thence behold the World
Run round, Secure from fear:
With Stars and Planets, Moon and Sun,
Still moving in their Sphere!
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10
O King of Kings giv me such StrengthIn this Great War depending;
That I may here prevail at length,
And ever be Ascending.
Till I at last Arrive to Thee
The Source of all Felicity.
II
[Com Holy Ghost Eternal God]
1
Com Holy Ghost Eternal GodOur Hearts with Life Inspire
Inkindle Zeal in all our Souls
And fill us with thy Heavenly fire.
2
Send forth thy Beams, and Let thy GraceUpon my Spirit shine:
That I may all thy Works enjoy,
Revive, Sing Praises, be Divine.
III An Hymne upon St. Bartholomews Day.
1
What Powerfull Spirit livs within!What Active Angel doth inhabit here!
What Heavenly Light inspires my Skin;
Which doth so like a Dietie appear!
224
Within me see,
A TEMPLE OF ETERNITIE!
All Kingdoms I Descrie
In Me.
2
An Inward Omnipresence here,Mysteriously like His with in me stands;
Whose Knowledg is a Sacred Sphere,
That in it self at once Includes all Lands.
There is som ANGEL that within Me can
Both Talk and Move
And Walk and flie and See and love
A Man on Earth, a Man
Above.
3
Dull Walls of Clay my SPIRIT leavsAnd in a Forrein Kindom doth appear,
This Great Apostle it receivs,
Admires his Works and sees them, standing here.
Within My Self from East to West I move,
As if I were
At once a CHERUBIM and Sphere,
Or was at once abov,
And here.
4
The Soul's a Messenger wherbyWithin our Inward Temple We may be
Even like the very Dietie,
In all the parts of His Eternitie.
225
Flesh is but Clay!
O fly my Soul, and haste away
To Jesus THRONE, or CROSS.
Obey!
§ 3. POEMS FROM CHRISTIAN ETHICKS.
I
[For Man to Act as if his Soul did see]
For Man to Act as if his Soul did see
The very Brightness of Eternity;
For Man to Act as if his Love did burn
Above the Spheres, even while its in its Urne;
For Man to Act even in the Wilderness,
As if he did those Sovereign Joys possess,
Which do at once confirm, stir up, enflame,
And perfect Angels; having not the same!
It doth increase the Value of his Deeds,
In this a Man a Seraphim exceeds:
The very Brightness of Eternity;
For Man to Act as if his Love did burn
Above the Spheres, even while its in its Urne;
For Man to Act even in the Wilderness,
As if he did those Sovereign Joys possess,
Which do at once confirm, stir up, enflame,
And perfect Angels; having not the same!
It doth increase the Value of his Deeds,
In this a Man a Seraphim exceeds:
To Act on Obligations yet unknown,
To Act upon Rewards as yet unshewn,
To keep Commands whose Beauty's yet unseen,
To cherish and retain a Zeal between
Sleeping and Waking; shews a constant care;
And that a deeper Love, a Love so Rare,
That no Eye Service may with it compare.
To Act upon Rewards as yet unshewn,
To keep Commands whose Beauty's yet unseen,
To cherish and retain a Zeal between
Sleeping and Waking; shews a constant care;
And that a deeper Love, a Love so Rare,
That no Eye Service may with it compare.
The Angels, who are faithful while they view
His Glory, know not what themselves would do,
Were they in our Estate! A Dimmer Light
Perhaps would make them erre as well as We;
And in the Coldness of a darker Night,
Forgetful and Lukewarm Themselves might be.
Our very Rust shall cover us with Gold,
Our Dust shall sprinkle while their Eyes behold
The Glory Springing from a feeble State,
Where meer Belief doth, if not conquer Fate,
Surmount, and pass what it doth Antedate.
His Glory, know not what themselves would do,
Were they in our Estate! A Dimmer Light
Perhaps would make them erre as well as We;
And in the Coldness of a darker Night,
Forgetful and Lukewarm Themselves might be.
226
Our Dust shall sprinkle while their Eyes behold
The Glory Springing from a feeble State,
Where meer Belief doth, if not conquer Fate,
Surmount, and pass what it doth Antedate.
II
[All Musick, Sawces, Feasts, Delights and Pleasures]
All Musick, Sawces, Feasts, Delights and Pleasures,Games, Dancing, Arts consist in govern'd Measures;
Much more do Words, and Passions of the Mind
In Temperance their sacred Beauty find.
III
[As in a Clock, 'tis hinder'd-Force doth bring]
As in a Clock, 'tis hinder'd-Force doth bringThe Wheels to order'd Motion, by a Spring;
Which order'd Motion guides a steddy Hand
In useful sort at Figures just to stand;
Which, were it not by Counter-ballance staid,
The Fabrick quickly would aside be laid
As wholly useless: So a Might too Great,
But well proportion'd, makes the World compleat.
Power well-bounded is more Great in Might,
Than if let loose 'twere wholly Infinite.
He could have made an endless Sea by this,
But then it had not been a Sea of Bliss;
A Sea that's bounded in a finite shore,
Is better far because it is no more.
Should Waters endlessly exceed the Skies,
They'd drown the World, and all whate'er we prize.
227
Had burnt the World, and quite consum'd the same.
That Flame would yield no splendor to the Sight,
'Twould be but Darkness though 'twere Infinite.
One Star made Infinite would all exclude,
An Earth made Infinite could ne're be view'd.
But all being bounded for each others sake,
He bounding all did all most useful make.
And which is best, in Profit and Delight,
Though not in Bulk, he made all Infinite.
He in his Wisdom did their use extend,
By all, to all the World from End to End.
In all Things, all Things service do to all:
And thus a Sand is Endless, though most small.
And every Thing is truly Infinite,
In its Relation deep and exquisite.
IV
[Were all the World a Paradice of Ease]
Were all the World a Paradice of Ease
'Twere easie then to live in Peace.
Were all men Wise, Divine, and Innocent,
Just, Holy, Peaceful, and Content,
Kind, Loving, True, and alwaies Good,
As in the Golden-Age they stood;
'Twere easie then to live
In all Delight and Glory, full of Love,
Blest as the Angels are above.
'Twere easie then to live in Peace.
Were all men Wise, Divine, and Innocent,
Just, Holy, Peaceful, and Content,
Kind, Loving, True, and alwaies Good,
As in the Golden-Age they stood;
'Twere easie then to live
In all Delight and Glory, full of Love,
Blest as the Angels are above.
But we such Principles must now attain,
(If we true Blessedness would gain)
As those are, which will help to make us reign
Over Disorders, Injuries,
Ingratitudes, Calamities,
Affronts, Oppressions, Slanders, Wrongs,
Lies, Angers, bitter Tongues,
The reach of Malice must surmount, and quell
The very Rage, and Power of Hell.
(If we true Blessedness would gain)
As those are, which will help to make us reign
228
Ingratitudes, Calamities,
Affronts, Oppressions, Slanders, Wrongs,
Lies, Angers, bitter Tongues,
The reach of Malice must surmount, and quell
The very Rage, and Power of Hell.
V
[Mankind is sick, the World distemper'd lies]
1
Mankind is sick, the World distemper'd lies,Opprest with Sins and Miseries.
Their Sins are Woes; a long corrupted Train
Of Poyson, drawn from Adam's vein,
Stains all his Seed, and all his Kin
Are one Disease of Life within.
They all torment themselves!
The World's one Bedlam, or a greater Cave
Of Mad-men, that do alwaies rave.
2
The Wise and Good like kind Physicians are,That strive to heal them by their Care.
They Physick and their Learning calmly use,
Although the Patient them abuse.
For since the Sickness is (they find)
A sad Distemper of the Mind;
All railings they impute,
All Injuries, unto the sore Disease,
They are expresly come to ease!
229
3
If we would to the Worlds distemper'd MindImpute the Rage which there we find,
We might, even in the midst of all our Foes,
Enjoy and feel a sweet Repose:
Might pity all the Griefs we see,
Anointing every Malady
With precious Oyl and Balm;
And while ourselves are Calm, our Art improve
To rescue them, and shew our Love.
4
But let's not fondly our own selves beguile;If we Revile 'cause they Revile,
Our selves infected with their sore Disease,
Need others Helps to give us ease.
For we more Mad then they remain,
Need to be cut, and need a Chain
Far more than they. Our Brain
Is craz'd; and if we put our Wit to theirs,
We may be justly made their Heirs.
5
But while with open eyes we clearly seeThe brightness of his Majesty;
While all the World, by Sin to Satan sold,
In daily Wickedness grows old,
Men in Chains of Darkness lye,
In Bondage and Iniquity,
And pierce and grieve themselves!
The dismal Woes wherein they crawl, enhance
The Peace of our Inheritance.
230
6
We wonder to behold our selves so nighTo so much Sin and Misery,
And yet to see our selves so safe from harm!
What Amulet, what hidden Charm
Could fortifie and raise the Soul
So far above them; and controul
Such fierce Malignity!
The brightness and the glory which we see
Is made a greater Mystery.
7
And while we feel how much our GOD doth loveThe Peace of Sinners, how much move,
And sue, and thirst, intreat, lament and grieve,
For all the Crimes in which they live,
And seek and wait, and call again,
And long to save them from the pain
Of Sin, from all their Woe!
With greater thirst, as well as grief we try,
How to relieve their Misery.
8
The life and splendour of Felicity,Whose floods so overflowing be,
The streams of Joy which round about his Throne,
Enrich and fill each Holy One,
Are so abundant, that we can
Spare all, even all to any Man!
And have it all our selves!
Nay have the more! We long to make them see
The sweetness of Felicity.
231
9
While we contemplate their Distresses, how,Blind Wretches, they in bondage bow,
And tear and wound themselves, and vex and groan,
And chafe and fret so near His Throne,
And know not what they ail, but lye
Tormented in their Misery
(Like Mad-men that are blind)
In works of darkness nigh such full Delight:
That they might find and see the sight,
10
What would we give! that they might likewise seeThe Glory of his Majesty!
The joy and fulness of that high delight,
Whose Blessedness is infinite!
We would even cease to live, to gain
Them from their misery and pain,
And make them with us reign.
For they themselves would be our greatest Treasures
When sav'd, our own most Heavenly Pleasures.
11
O holy JESUS who didst for us die,And on the Altar bleeding lie,
Bearing all Torment, pain, reproach, and shame,
That we by vertue of the same,
Though enemies to God, might be
Redeem'd, and set at liberty.
As thou didst us forgive,
So meekly let us Love to others shew,
And live in Heaven on Earth below!
232
12
Let's prize their Souls, and let them be our Gems,Our Temples and our Diadems,
Our Brides, our Friends, our fellow-Members, Eyes
Hands, Hearts and Souls, our Victories,
And Spoils and Trophies, our own Joyes!
Compar'd to Souls all else are Toyes!
O JESUS, let them be
Such unto us, as they are unto thee,
Vessels of Glory and Felicitie!
13
How will they love us, when they find our CareBrought them all thither where they are!
When they conceive, what terrour 'tis to dwell
In all the punishments of Hell:
And in a lively manner see,
O Christ, eternal Joyes in thee!
How will they all delight
In praising thee for us, with all their might,
How sweet a Grace, how infinite!
VI
[Contentment is a sleepy thing!]
Contentment is a sleepy thing!If it in Death alone must die;
A quiet Mind is worse than Poverty!
Unless it from Enjoyment spring!
That's Blessedness alone that makes a King!
Wherein the Joyes and Treasures are so great,
They all the powers of the Soul employ,
And fill it with a Work compleat,
While it doth all enjoy.
233
Enrich Content, and make our Courage higher.
Content alone's a dead and silent Stone:
The real life of Bliss
Is Glory reigning in a Throne,
Where all Enjoyment is.
The Soul of Man is so inclin'd to see,
Without his Treasures no man's Soul can be,
Nor rest content Uncrown'd!
Desire and Love
Must in the height of all their Rapture move,
Where there is true Felicity.
Employment is the very life and ground
Of Life it self; whose pleasant Motion is
The form of Bliss:
All Blessedness a life with Glory Crown'd.
Life! Life is all: in its most full extent
Stretcht out to all things, and with all Content!
VII
[And if the Glory and Esteem I have]
And if the Glory and Esteem I have,Be nothing else than what my Silver gave;
If for no other ground
I am with Love or Praises crown'd,
'Tis such a shame, such vile, such base Repute
'Tis better starve, than eat such empty Fruit.
234
§ 4. POEMS FROM A SERIOUS AND PATHETICAL CONTEMPLATION OF THE MERCIES OF GOD.
Thanksgivings for the Body.—I.
While I, O Lord, exalted by thy hand,Above the Skies in Glory seem to stand:
The Skies being made to serve me, as they do,
While I thy Glories in thy Goodness view.
To be in Glory higher than the Skies,
Is greater bliss, than 'tis in place to rise
Above the Stars: More blessed and divine,
To live and see, than like the Sun to shine.
O what Profoundness in my Body lies,
For whom the Earth was made, the Sea, the Skies!
So greatly high our humane Bodies are,
That Angels scarcely may with these compare.
In all the heights of Glory seated, they,
Above the Sun in thine eternal day,
Are seen to shine; with greater gifts adorn'd
Than Gold with Light, or Flesh with Life suborn'd
Suns are but Servants! Skies beneath their feet;
The Stars but Stones; Moons but to serve them meet.
Beyond all heights above the World they reign,
In thy great Throne ordained to remain.
All Tropes are Clouds; Truth doth it self excel,
Whatever Heights, Hyperboles can tell.
Thanksgivings for the Body.—II.
Then shall each Limb a spring of Joy be found,And ev'ry Member with its Glory crown'd:
235
That ever Ages in them understood,
Transported are: Containing Worlds of Treasure,
At one Delight with all their Joy and Pleasure.
From whence, like Rivers, Joy shall overflow,
Affect the Soul, though in the Body grow.
Return again, and make the Body shine
Like Jesus Christ, while both in one combine,
Mysterious Contracts are between the Soul,
Which touch the Spirits, and by those its Bowl:
The Marrow, Bowels, Spirits, melt and move,
Dissolving ravish, teach them how to love.
He that could bring the Heavens thro the Eye,
And make the World within the Fancy lie,
By beams of Light that closing meet in one,
From all the Parts of His celestial Throne,
Far more than this in framing Bliss can do,
Inflame the Body and the Spirit too:
Can make the Soul by Sense to feel and see,
And with her Joy the Senses wrap'd to be.
Yea while the Flesh or Body subject lies
To those Affections which in Souls arise;
All holy Glories from the Soul redound,
And in the Body by the Soul abound,
Are felt within, and ravish ev'ry Sense,
With all the Godhead's glorious Excellence:
Who found the way himself to dwell within,
As if even Flesh were nigh to him of kin.
His Goodness, Wisdom, Power, Love divine,
Make, by the Soul convey'd, the Body shine.
Not like the Sun (that earthly Darkness is)
But in the strengths and heights of all this bliss.
For God designs thy Body, for his sake,
A Temple of the Deity to make.
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Thanksgivings for the Beauty of his Providence.
1
These sweeter far than Lillies are,No Roses may with these compare!
How these excel
No Tongue can tell!
Which he that well and truly knows,
With praise and joy he goes.
How great and happy's he, that knows his Ways,
To be divine and heavenly Joys!
To whom each City is more brave,
Than Walls of Pearl, and Streets which Gold doth pave:
Whose open eyes
Behold the Skies;
Who loves their Wealth and Beauty more,
Than Kings love golden Ore!
2
Who sees the heavenly antient Ways,Of GOD the Lord, with Joy and Praise;
More than the Skies,
With open Eyes,
Doth prize them all: yea more than Gems
And Regal Diadems.
That more esteemeth Mountains as they are,
Than if they Gold and Silver were:
To whom the SUN more pleasure brings,
Than Crowns and Thrones, and Palaces, to Kings.
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To be the Joys,
And Way of God. These things who knows,
With Joy and Praise he goes!
§ 5. POEMS FROM MEDITATIONS ON THE SIX DAYS OF THE CREATION.
First Day.
Hail, sacred Light, which highly dost excel,And dost our Sorrows and our Fears dispel!
When first appearing thou didst strike the Sight
With darting Beams, all glorious fair and bright,
And wondrous charming, Oh! how great and full
Of sparkling Glory! Oh! how beautiful!
How sweet thy Shine! How ravishing thy Rays!
Proclaiming loud thy great Creator's Praise,
When marvellously he had now decreed,
That Day should Night, and Night should Day succeed;
That this His Works and Wonders might display,
And shadow forth his own eternal Day;
Whilst that should temper the Day's increasing Drought,
Moisten the Air, and make the Earth to sprout.
He gave the Word, and Day did straight appear,
Till Day at length declin'd, and Night drew near.
Night, which hovering with her sable Wing,
Doth Ease and Rest to wearied Mortals bring.
Thus Nights and Days, and Days and Nights do fly,
Returning in their Course successively;
Each with its Comforts, though of diff'rent kinds,
Both for our active and our drooping Minds.
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By Day and Night let's bless our Lord and King,
The King of all the World, in whom we move
And live, and are, the mighty God above.
Amen.
Second Day.
Hark how God's Word the Waters does command,That they forthwith obey, and parted stand!
Two different ways, how does it them divide?
Some upwards mount, and some again subside.
In Vapours part ascend, the Clouds to fill,
Part to refresh the Earth, in Rain distill.
Mark how his Voice doth cut the Flames of Fire,
What whist'ling Winds do blow, and then retire;
How through the Air his pointed Arrows fly,
And how his Thunder rattles in the Sky:
He thunders, and the proudest Atheist quakes;
From Heaven roars, and Hell's Foundation shakes.
His Voice the Mountains and the Rocks doth rend,
And tallest Cedars fall at his Command.
Which yet to lowly Shrubs no Hurt will bring;
These, and their humble Valleys, laugh and sing.
Sing, O ye Valleys, whom the Lord doth crown;
On you he drops his welcome Blessings down.
When I perceive it rain in timely Showers,
I see on you he fruitful Favours pours:
But when from Clouds a watry Torrent spins,
Methinks Heav'n weeps for our unwept-for Sins.
And when on high I spy his beauteous Bow,
By this he does his Truth and Mercy show.
Oh that I could to him make some Return,
And that I cannot do it better, mourn!
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Tears for my Sins, which for them loudly call;
And that my Thoughts, as Vapours, may arise,
And mount to thee, my God, above the Skies;
To own my Guilt, and Pardon supplicate,
And never cease thy Praise to celebrate.
Amen.
Third Day.
Lo here, within the Waters liquid WombThe unborn Earth lay, as in native Tomb;
Whilst she at first was buried in the Deep,
And all her Forms and Seeds were fast asleep.
Th' Almighty Word then spake, and streight was heard,
The Earth her Head up from the Waters rear'd.
The Waters soon, as frighted, fled apace,
And all were swiftly gather'd to one Place.
See now the Earth, with Life and Verdure crown'd,
Spring from her Bed, gay, vigorous, and sound:
Her Face ten thousand Beauties now adorn,
With Blessings numberless from Plenty's Horn.
Here, there, and ev'ry where they richly flow,
For us Almighty Bounty them does strow.
The Hills and Dales, the Lawns and Woods around,
God's Wisdom, Goodness, and his Pow'r resound.
Both far and near his Wonders they proclaim.
How vilely then is wretched Man to blame,
If he forget to praise that liberal Hand,
Out-spread from Sea to Sea, from Land to Land?
Amen.
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Fourth Day.
1
Thou Lamp of God, and spacious World's vast Light,Of thee how shall I sing? of thee how write?
For here I find the Danger is,
With Bards of old, the Way to miss.
Of thee a God, they strangely wond'ring made,
And to thy Fire devoutly Homage paid.
2
The ancient Bards did see, and do, no more.But I a brighter Sun than thee adore.
The Sun, I mean, that gave thee Light,
A Sun ten thousand times more bright.
Ah! who can thee sufficiently admire,
O God, my Sun, or thee enough desire?
3
Hail, thou faint Image of th' Eternal Sun!Oh that with thee my Race I now could run!
Oh that I could with thee obey!
And oh that I did never stray!
But with thee always keep within my Line,
And with thee always in his Service join.
4
Thy influential Heat all Places warms,And every Creature feels thy living Charms.
The Fields do laugh, the Woods do sing,
The Hills do dance, the Valleys spring.
The Fields and Groves, the Meads and Pastures live
By Heat, which God to thee at first did give.
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5
The Plants, and Birds, and Beasts do all conspireIn this; and thee do eagerly Desire.
Nothing we meet with here below,
But what by thee doth live and grow.
Oh! how thou dost with Youth and Vigour fill
Thy Subject Earth, which Lifeless would be still!
6
Me with new Life from God thou dost inspire,That seeing thee I burn with rapt'rous Fire.
Thou art the Glory of thy Lord:
Thou art the Image of his Word:
And I with thee now praise my LORD and thine,
That he my Sun, may ever on me shine.
Amen.
Fifth Day.
The Waters now are truly living made,But how is this? Th' Almighty Word has said;
He said, Now let the Waters living be.
Th' admiring Angels then did Wonders see.
For streight the mighty Product of the Deep,
As if awaken'd from their watry Sleep,
Did now in numerous Shoals themselves display,
And made appear a Fifth more glorious Day,
Fairer than any that had gone before.
Oh! who can God sufficiently adore,
Who this Day gen'rated so rich a Store?
A Day most fair! when his Almighty Skill
Did all the Seas, and Lakes, and Rivers fill.
Armies of Birds out of the Waters rise,
And soaring mount towards the smiling Skies.
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There living Castles mighty things declare;
And swiftly rolling through the spacious Main,
This Day proclaim, with all their finny Train.
O let not Man forget with these to raise
Both Heart and Voice to his great Maker's Praise.
Amen.
Sixth Day.
1
When first the teeming Waters had brought forthTheir Births, from East to West, from South to North,
Fish fill'd the Sea, and Fowls the Air,
The Earth alone remaining bare.
For though it had been furnish'd out so well,
Yet no Inhabitant on Earth did dwell.
2
The Earth was all throughout as Eden fair;How fine, how goodly were the Plants she bare?
But yet no Animal was seen,
Nothing with Sense on Earth had been.
Till now th' Almighty did from Heaven look,
And into Being living Forms bespoke.
3
The pregnant Earth a second time did bear,Not Herbs, nor Shrubs, nor Trees did now appear,
As at the first, from her to spring;
But nobler Births did to her cling.
With Life and Sense endu'd, these from her came,
Compleatly good, and naught in them to blame.
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4
The harmless Lion with the Lamb did play,And Leopards on the Sheep did never prey:
There nothing was that did destroy:
There nothing was that did annoy:
But all was love, and perfect Harmony;
All did the Maker's Goodness testify.
5
But still the Heir was wanted to appear,Till God at length was pleased to draw near:
And as the Earth his Feet did touch,
The blooming Earth did streightway blush;
Her Dust a lovely red did richly die:
No Tyrian Stain could with it ever vie.
6
And from this ruddy Earth there did ariseA beauteous Form, such as no mortal Eyes
Have ever yet on Earth beheld,
Since hither we have been expell'd,
From Eden's glorious East, with Beasts to dwell
In this vile World, which Sin has made an Hell.
7
The Beasts and Birds did all admiring stand,So fair a Shape to view, which God's own Hand
Had just produc'd with Art divine,
In which all Beauties did combine.
And, lo! a rushing Breath from Heaven came,
Which kindled presently the vital Flame.
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8
The noble Godlike Form was then proclaimedThe King of Earth, and God's Vicegerent nam'd.
His Subjects him did recognise,
Whose Glory did them all surprise.
It was God's Glory which on him did rest,
And with majestick Awe did him invest.
9
Whilst infinitely greater Majesty,And Awe, and Dread, and justest Sov'reignty,
In his Creator does appear;
Enough to challenge ev'ry where
The utmost Duty Angels or Men can pay,
The strictest Service, and without Delay.
10
For shame then, O my guilty Soul, beginTo weep, lament, and wash away thy Sin.
Begin before it be too late;
Beg Pardon for thy Faults so great;
Repent, amend thy Life, amend thy Ways,
He's blest that his Creator's Will obeys.
11
And since to please thee nothing I can doWithout thy Grace, thy Grace do thou bestow,
O God, that furnish'd I may be
With sufficient Strength from thee,
To conquer all Temptations that arise
To whatsoever sort of Sin, or Vice.
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12
That thankful, holy, happy I may be,May please thee here, and to Eternity
May bless thee with a cheerful Voice,
And with the Saints, who all rejoice
To warble forth thy Praises, may
Enjoy thee in an everlasting Day.
Amen.
| The poetical works of Thomas Traherne | |