985
C. M.
Communion with God in retirement.
Far from the world, O Lord, I flee,
From strife and tumult far;
From scenes where Satan wages still
His most successful war.
2 The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With prayer and praise agree;
And seem by thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow thee.
3 There, if thy Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode,
O, with what peace, and joy, and love,
She then communes with God!
4 There, like the nightingale she pours
Her solitary lays;
Nor asks a witness of her song,
Nor thirsts for human praise.
5 Author and Guardian of my life!
Sweet Source of light divine,
And all harmonious names in one—
My Saviour!—thou art mine!
6 What thanks I owe thee, and what love—
A boundless, endless store—
Shall echo through the realms above,
When time shall be no more.
Cowper.