A HYMN TO RESIGNATION.
Oh! from that high and holy sphere,
Where, thron'd in light, you dwell,
Sweet maid, in all thy charms descend
To gild my humble cell.
Thy presence heightens every bliss,
Draws out the sting of wo,
Allures to brighter worlds above,
And makes a heaven below.
The pilgrim, roving all night long,
Through dreary tracts forlorn,
Oft sighs, oppress'd, and sighs again,
The wish'd return of morn.
As I in sorrow's gloomy night,
Condemn'd awhile to stray,
Look up with ardent eye to heav'n,
And ask the devious way,
O! screen me from surrounding ills,
Let dangers ne'er annoy,
The arrow that in darkness flies,
Commissioned to destroy.
Inconstant as the idle wind,
That sports with every flow'r,
When earthly friends by turns drop off,
Friends of our brighter hour;
Do thou, mild cherub, fill my breast,
With all that's good and wise,
Snatch me from earth's tumultuous scenes,
And lead me to the skies.
There kindred spirits ne'er deceive;
Soul mingles there with soul;
Sweet Sympathy and Truth are there,
And Love cements the whole.
More welcome to this sorrowing heart,
Oh, pensive queen, thy strain,
Than all the joys mad Riot gives
To sooth the clamorous train.
You shade the poor man's evening walk
With wreaths of endless green,
And, when the lamp of life declines,
You tend the last dread scene.
Oh! then from heaven, thy holy sphere,
Where, thron'd in light you dwell,
Come, Resignation, sainted maid,
And gild my humble cell.