 | A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects |  |
335
Contemplative Solitude.
O Fortunati minium bona si sua norint Agricolæ.
—Virg.
339
How much the Joys of Solitude excell,
The World's rude Mirth and clam'rous Sports,
The Noise of Triumphs and of Courts,
The Mind, that aims at Heav'n, can only tell.
The World's rude Mirth and clam'rous Sports,
The Noise of Triumphs and of Courts,
The Mind, that aims at Heav'n, can only tell.
She from the Body, loos'd by ardent Love,
Delights in Upper Sky to soar,
And mounts thro' Æther to explore
The Scenes of Bliss, and joyn the Blest above;
Delights in Upper Sky to soar,
And mounts thro' Æther to explore
The Scenes of Bliss, and joyn the Blest above;
Who, Heirs of Heav'n to Godlike Empire born,
Enthron'd, Immortal Scepters bear,
Bright Crowns of solid Glory wear,
And look on Earthly Pomp with generous Scorn.
Enthron'd, Immortal Scepters bear,
Bright Crowns of solid Glory wear,
And look on Earthly Pomp with generous Scorn.
340
She sees them lay their Regal Ensigns down,
And lowly prostrate lie before
Th' Almighty's Throne, whom they adore,
And with Extatick Hallelujahs crown.
And lowly prostrate lie before
Th' Almighty's Throne, whom they adore,
And with Extatick Hallelujahs crown.
What Raptures inexpressible the Flights
Of Heavenly Contemplations raise;
The Soul breaks forth in Songs of Praise,
And covets These, and only These Delights?
Of Heavenly Contemplations raise;
The Soul breaks forth in Songs of Praise,
And covets These, and only These Delights?
Too much dilated for the Breast with Love,
And, with her Limbs of Earth opprest,
Eager she asks to be releast,
To feel more Ease, and find more Room above.
And, with her Limbs of Earth opprest,
Eager she asks to be releast,
To feel more Ease, and find more Room above.
She aims and strives to reach the Realms of Light,
And chides her Chains and Screen of Clay,
And rising Fogs, that take away
Her Heav'nly Prospect, and retard her Flight.
And chides her Chains and Screen of Clay,
And rising Fogs, that take away
Her Heav'nly Prospect, and retard her Flight.
341
Safe in Celestial, unmolested Seats,
From Clouds and stormy Winds, that blow
O'er this tempestuous World below,
She mourns as oft as she to Earth retreats.
From Clouds and stormy Winds, that blow
O'er this tempestuous World below,
She mourns as oft as she to Earth retreats.
No Fears in those mild Regions vex the Soul,
Seated secure, she from on high
Beholds the ruddy Lightning fly,
And hears beneath the distant Thunder roll.
Seated secure, she from on high
Beholds the ruddy Lightning fly,
And hears beneath the distant Thunder roll.
She dwells secure from impious Angels Pow'r,
That stray in this low Void of Air,
And, watching with unwearied Care,
First tempt to Sin, and then their Prey devour.
That stray in this low Void of Air,
And, watching with unwearied Care,
First tempt to Sin, and then their Prey devour.
Those Minds become more Excellent and Pure,
The more they Heav'ns blest Air frequent,
Air free from Damps and noisome Scent;
So wholsome Climates Mens sick Bodies cure.
The more they Heav'ns blest Air frequent,
Air free from Damps and noisome Scent;
So wholsome Climates Mens sick Bodies cure.
342
When they from Heav'n and Solitude return,
Like Saints, like Seraphs they appear,
So fresh a Grace their Virtues wear,
With such pure Flames of Love their Bosoms burn.
Like Saints, like Seraphs they appear,
So fresh a Grace their Virtues wear,
With such pure Flames of Love their Bosoms burn.
This World is still so turbulent and loud,
That Heav'n's still Voice can scarce be heard;
Angels have oft to Men appear'd,
To Men retir'd, but never in a Crowd.
That Heav'n's still Voice can scarce be heard;
Angels have oft to Men appear'd,
To Men retir'd, but never in a Crowd.
In silent Groves the Men of old grew wise,
Vot'rys in low Prostration there
To the true God address'd their Prayer,
There Pagans too ador'd their Deities.
Vot'rys in low Prostration there
To the true God address'd their Prayer,
There Pagans too ador'd their Deities.
To feast her Taste with pure Angelick Food,
The Soul does there herself compose,
Calmly devout and solemn grows,
Aw'd by the Shade, and Stillness of the Wood.
The Soul does there herself compose,
Calmly devout and solemn grows,
Aw'd by the Shade, and Stillness of the Wood.
343
The famous Essens, Sages free from Care,
Who starv'd their Limbs to feed the Mind,
To gain Delight and Joy refin'd,
Did solitary Woods to Towns prefer.
Who starv'd their Limbs to feed the Mind,
To gain Delight and Joy refin'd,
Did solitary Woods to Towns prefer.
Their Deeds were harmless, and their Looks untaught,
Of the next Silver Stream they drank,
Got a cheap Meal from some green Bank,
And far from Strife and Clamour liv'd and thought
Of the next Silver Stream they drank,
Got a cheap Meal from some green Bank,
And far from Strife and Clamour liv'd and thought
In Fields and Groves unenvy'd Joys I find;
I Nature's secret Springs explore,
And her Almighty Cause adore,
Where Objects solace and instruct my Mind.
I Nature's secret Springs explore,
And her Almighty Cause adore,
Where Objects solace and instruct my Mind.
Like the rich Valley let me fruitful grow,
May Hills excite me to aspire,
Like them, to Heav'n with rais'd Desire,
And may my Thoughts pure, as the Fountain, flow.
May Hills excite me to aspire,
Like them, to Heav'n with rais'd Desire,
And may my Thoughts pure, as the Fountain, flow.
344
Like Birds I'll send to Heav'n my grateful Lays,
The Sheep shall make me wish I may
Be useful, and as meek as They,
And hear the Pastor, that directs my Ways.
The Sheep shall make me wish I may
Be useful, and as meek as They,
And hear the Pastor, that directs my Ways.
Both Birds and Beasts shall my Distrust condemn,
Which ne'er repine, but stray about,
Free from all Care and anxious Doubt,
And teach me to depend on Heaven, like Them.
Which ne'er repine, but stray about,
Free from all Care and anxious Doubt,
And teach me to depend on Heaven, like Them.
Motives I ne'er shall want of Love and Praise,
For Heaven and Earth will still supply
My Thoughts with such Variety,
As will new Wonder, fresh Devotion raise.
For Heaven and Earth will still supply
My Thoughts with such Variety,
As will new Wonder, fresh Devotion raise.
Let me my Mind improve by all I see,
And by the Creatures still ascend
To the first Cause, whilst I attend
To Nature's Volume of Divinity.
And by the Creatures still ascend
To the first Cause, whilst I attend
To Nature's Volume of Divinity.
345
A Closet or a secret Field with Thee,
Shall, Lord, to me be far more dear,
Than all the transient Pleasures here,
Than all the poison'd Sweets of Ease and Luxury.
Shall, Lord, to me be far more dear,
Than all the transient Pleasures here,
Than all the poison'd Sweets of Ease and Luxury.
| A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects | |