Wild Fancy, peace! thou must not me beguile I know thy flatteries and thy cheating ways; Blind guide with siren voice, and blinding all Come, Self-devotion, high and pure, And let me kiss thy placid cheek, And read in thy pale eye serene Their blessing, who by faith can wean God only, and the joys above. They say, who know the life divine, And upward gaze with eagle eyne, That by each golden crown on high, that little coronet or special reward which God hath prepared (extraordinary and besides the great Crown of all faithful souls) for those I Which for our Lord's redeem'd is set, All gemm'd with pure and living light, Nor deem, who to that bliss aspire, Are fiercer than a foeman's dart. Oft in Life's stillest shade reclining, Without a hope on earth to find And there are souls that seem to dwell Above this earth-so rich a spell "who have not defiled themselves with women, but follow the (virgin) Lamb for ever." Bp. Taylor, Holy Living, c. xi. sect. 3. Floats round their steps, where'er they move, From hopes fulfill'd and mutual love. Such, if on high their thoughts are set, Such wedded souls our God shall own Thus every where we find our suffering God, May set our steps: the Cross on Calvary Beams on the martyr host, a beacon light To the still wrestlings of the lonely heart The virtue of His midnight agony, When none was nigh, Save God and one good angel, to assuage Mortal! if life smile on thee, and thou find All to thy mind, Think, who did once from Heaven to Hell descend So shalt thou dare forego, at His dear call, “O Father! not my will, but thine be done”So spake the Son. Be this our charm, mellowing Earth's ruder noise That we may cling for ever to thy breast THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee, for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel ix. 23. 66 "O HOLY mountain of my God, "Twas thus upon his fasting-day The "Man of Loves" was fain to pray, His lattice open' toward his darling west, Mourning the ruin'd home he still must love the best. Oh for a love like Daniel's now, To wing to Heaven but one strong prayer f Daniel vi. 10. |