University of Virginia Library

THE INDESCRIBABLE.

Might I, poor mortal as I am, presume
To paint one spark of Heaven—might I describe
What unassisted mind hath ne'er conceiv'd
In bold Imagination's farthest flight—
The glories eye hath never gaz'd upon,
The songs that ne'er have ravish'd mortal ear;
Might I declare what only angels know,
The bliss reserv'd for pure, undying spirits,
My picture should be this:—Behold the Man,
The God, the Light of light, the Paschal Lamb,
The Sacrifice for sin, for sinners slain!
The Sun of highest Heaven, the Source of all
Beauteous and holy through Infinity!
I stand as do the holy Cherubim,
And veil myself in lowliness before
The Sun of Righteousness—his dimmest ray
Will melt thy waxen wing, my feeble thought.
'Tis bliss, deep bliss, to magnify that name,
And ever to discover new perfections—
Perfections which Eternity itself,
Endless Eternity of boundless praise,
Declareth not, nor e'en Omniscience knows!
But, oh! how sluggish flows my wintry strain—
Would I could sing! would that this heart could feel
The love Thou hast for me—this frozen heart!
Melt it, thou Sun of Glory! soften it—
Strike the hard rock, and bid the river flow!
Thus shall I catch a glimpse of heavenly day;
Thus shall my soul one note of heavenly song
Re-echo on the thrilling chords of love;
Thus shall my charm'd, but aching sense, in vain
Strive to be sated with the golden streams,
Rivers of pleasantness at God's right hand;
And bathe, my Saviour, in thy glorious rays,
Thou full, deep tide, of ever-flowing bliss!