 | A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects |  |
A Hymn.
What Words Jehovah! shall I chuse
T' express my Thanks to Thee?
What reverential Posture use?
Down on my Face or Knee?
T' express my Thanks to Thee?
What reverential Posture use?
Down on my Face or Knee?
62
External Forms may seem devout,
Yet no Acceptance find;
Nor all the Pomp of Words, without
A correspondent Mind.
Yet no Acceptance find;
Nor all the Pomp of Words, without
A correspondent Mind.
The Heart's an Index; read me, there
See Gratitude and Praise;
For Competence, a Conscience clear,
With Health, and Length of Days;
See Gratitude and Praise;
For Competence, a Conscience clear,
With Health, and Length of Days;
For one true Friend, an Offspring large;
And what is dearer still,
For Love, that did my Debts discharge,
And brought from Heav'n Thy Will.
And what is dearer still,
For Love, that did my Debts discharge,
And brought from Heav'n Thy Will.
Shall I, O God! thus highly blest,
E'er disobedient prove,
Or make revealed Truths a Jest,
And Sceptick Reas'ning love?
E'er disobedient prove,
Or make revealed Truths a Jest,
And Sceptick Reas'ning love?
Shall I prefer a transient Sin,
Renounce Thy sacred Laws,
And slight Thy holy Checks within,
To gain the World's Applause?
Renounce Thy sacred Laws,
And slight Thy holy Checks within,
To gain the World's Applause?
No; rather let my Hand forget
To guide the passive Quill;
My Eyes in total Darkness set,
My lab'ring Heart stand still.
To guide the passive Quill;
My Eyes in total Darkness set,
My lab'ring Heart stand still.
| A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects | |