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 |
 | 1. |
Innocence. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
 | 2. |
| 3. |
 | The poetical works of Thomas Traherne |  |
Innocence.
1
But that which most I Wonder at, which most
I did esteem my Bliss, which most I Boast,
And ever shall Enjoy, is that within
I felt no Stain, nor Spot of Sin.
I did esteem my Bliss, which most I Boast,
And ever shall Enjoy, is that within
I felt no Stain, nor Spot of Sin.
No Darkness then did overshade,
But all within was Pure and Bright,
No Guilt did Crush, nor fear invade
But all my Soul was full of Light.
But all within was Pure and Bright,
No Guilt did Crush, nor fear invade
But all my Soul was full of Light.
A Joyfull Sence and Puritie
Is all I can remember.
The very Night to me was Bright,
Twas Summer in December.
Is all I can remember.
The very Night to me was Bright,
Twas Summer in December.
2
A Serious Meditation did employ
My Soul within, which taken up with Joy
Did seem no Outward thing to note, but flie
All Objects that do feed the Eye.
My Soul within, which taken up with Joy
Did seem no Outward thing to note, but flie
All Objects that do feed the Eye.
10
While it those very Objects did
Admire, and prize, and prais, and love,
Which in their Glory most are hid,
Which Presence only doth remove.
Admire, and prize, and prais, and love,
Which in their Glory most are hid,
Which Presence only doth remove.
Their Constant Daily Presence I
Rejoycing at, did see;
And that which takes them from the Ey
Of others, offerd them to me.
Rejoycing at, did see;
And that which takes them from the Ey
Of others, offerd them to me.
3
No inward Inclination did I feel
To Avarice or Pride: My Soul did kneel
In Admiration all the Day. No Lust, nor Strife,
Polluted then my Infant Life.
To Avarice or Pride: My Soul did kneel
In Admiration all the Day. No Lust, nor Strife,
Polluted then my Infant Life.
No Fraud nor Anger in me movd
No Malice Jealousie or Spite;
All that I saw I truly lovd.
Contentment only and Delight
No Malice Jealousie or Spite;
All that I saw I truly lovd.
Contentment only and Delight
Were in my Soul. O Heav'n! what Bliss
Did I enjoy and feel!
What Powerfull Delight did this
Inspire! for this I daily Kneel.
Did I enjoy and feel!
What Powerfull Delight did this
Inspire! for this I daily Kneel.
4
Whether it be that Nature is so pure,
And Custom only vicious; or that sure
God did by Miracle the Guilt remov,
And make my Soul to feel his Lov,
And Custom only vicious; or that sure
God did by Miracle the Guilt remov,
And make my Soul to feel his Lov,
So Early: Or that 'twas one Day,
Wher in this Happiness I found;
Whose Strength and Brightness so do Ray,
That still it seems me to Surround.
Wher in this Happiness I found;
Whose Strength and Brightness so do Ray,
That still it seems me to Surround.
11
What ere it is, it is a Light
So Endless unto me
That I a World of true Delight
Did then and to this Day do see.
So Endless unto me
That I a World of true Delight
Did then and to this Day do see.
5
That Prospect was the Gate of Heav'n, that Day
The ancient Light of Eden did convey
Into my Soul: I was an Adam there,
A little Adam in a Sphere
The ancient Light of Eden did convey
Into my Soul: I was an Adam there,
A little Adam in a Sphere
Of Joys! O there my Ravisht Sence
Was entertaind in Paradice,
And had a Sight of Innocence.
Which was beyond all Bound and Price.
Was entertaind in Paradice,
And had a Sight of Innocence.
Which was beyond all Bound and Price.
An Antepast of Heaven sure!
I on the Earth did reign.
Within, without me, all was pure.
I must becom a Child again.
I on the Earth did reign.
Within, without me, all was pure.
I must becom a Child again.
| The poetical works of Thomas Traherne | |