The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
 | IV. |
|
 |
XIII.—THE MIDNIGHT ELEVATION. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
524
XIII.—THE MIDNIGHT ELEVATION.
I.
Now reigns the night in her sublimest noon,Nature lies hush'd; the stars their watches keep;
I wait thy influence, gentle sleep,
Come shed thy choicest poppies down,
On every sense, sweet slumbers seal my eyes,
Tir'd with the scenes of day, with painted vanities.
II.
In vain I wish, in vain I tryTo close my eyes and learn to die;
Sweet slumbers from my restless pillow fly:
Then be my thoughts serene as day,
Be sprightly as the light,
Swift as the sun's far-shooting ray,
And take a vigorous flight:
Swift fly, my soul, transcend these dusky skies,
And trace the vital world that lies
Beyond those glimmering fires that gild and cheer the night.
III.
There Jesus reigns, adored name!The second on the throne supreme:
In whose mysterious form combine
Created glories and divine:
The joy and wonder of the realms above:
At his command all their wing'd squadrons move,
Burn with his fire, and triumph in his love.
IV.
There souls releas'd from earth's dark bondage live,My Reynolds there, with Howe and Boyle are found;
525
And now they soar, and now they dive
In that unlimitable deep where thought itself is drown'd.
They aid the seraphs while they sing,
God is their unexhausted theme;
Light, life and joy for that immortal spring
O'erflow the blessed millions with an endless stream.
Amazing state! Divine abode!
Where spirits find their heaven while they are lost in God.
V.
Hail, holy souls, no more confin'dTo limbs and bones that clog the mind;
Ye have escap'd the snares, and left the chains behind.
We wretched prisoners here below,
What do we see, or learn or know,
But scenes of various folly, guilt and woe?
Life's buzzing sounds and flatt'ring colours play
Round our fond sense, and waste the day,
Inchant the fancy, vex the labouring soul;
Each rising sun, each lightsome hour,
Beholds the busy slavery we endure;
Nor is our freedom full, or contemplation pure,
When night and sacred silence overspread the pole.
VI.
Reynolds, thou late ascended mind,Employ'd in various thought and tuneful song,
What happy moment shall my soul unbind,
And bid me join th'harmonious throng?
Oh for a wing to rise to thee!
When shall my eyes those heav'nly wonders see?
When shall I taste those comforts with an ear refin'd?
VII.
Roll on apace, ye spheres sublime,Swift drive thy chariot round, illustrious moon,
Haste, all ye winkling measures of time,
Ye can't fulfil your course too soon.
Kindle my languid pow'rs, celestial love,
Point all my passions to the courts above,
Then send the convoy down to guard my last remove.
VIII.
Thrice happy world, where gilded toysNo more disturb our thoughts, no more pollute our joys!
There light and shade succeed no more by turns,
There reigns th'eternal sun with an unclouded ray,
There all is calm as night, yet all immortal day,
And truth for ever shines, and love for ever burns.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |