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SOLILOQUY XXVII.
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SOLILOQUY XXVII.

How slowly moves the sun? how dull the wheels
Of nature? Roll along, ye planets, fly
In shorter rounds, and measure out my day,
This tedious day, this interval of woe!
I wait with longing looks, and mark the skies,
As men impatient for the breaking morn.
This world has nothing worth a careless thought;
I have no treasure here, 'tis all above,
And there my heart in fix'd attention dwells.
With just disdain I cast a languid look
Around the vain creation; then repine
And half pronounce those various products evil,
Which God himself approv'd, and call'd them good:
Yet independent of the sov'reign bliss,
They yield no solace, give me no repose.
What have I here to hold my soul from thee?
To entertain me one short, fleeting hour?
I have no friend on earth, and none would have.
I'm grown a stranger here, my heart disowns

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Acquaintance here; I'm sick of this vain world,
Its tiresome repetitions load my sense:
The sun's bright eye, in all its circuit, views
No equal entertainment, none to hold
My heart in these inhospitable realms.
Yet if I must a stranger here remain,
O condescend to visit these abodes,
And speak in frequent whispers to my soul!
Let me converse with thee, and hear thy voice;
Retir'd from men in some wild solitude
My hours would sweetly pass, nor seek delight
Beyond that heav'nly bliss; there I could rest
Superior to the turns of human things.
These eyes no more should view the impious ways
Of human race; these ears no longer hear
The daring blasphemies that loudly rage
Against that gracious mediating pow'r,
That keeps avenging thunder from their heads.
O let me die in peace, dismiss me hence!
I'm but a sojourner, a stranger here;
Wand'ring thro' darksome ways and gloomy wilds,
Beset with hellish snares, and oft betray'd
By a deceitful, treach'rous heart within:
Tir'd with perpetual toil I cast my eyes,
To yonder peaceful worlds, and long for rest.