Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire!
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
Blest who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixed; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,
Thus unlamented let me die,
Steal from the world, and not a stone
WHEN all thy mercies, O my God!
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.
O how shall words, with equal warmth,
The gratitude declare,
That glows within my ravished heart?
But thou can'st read it there.
Thy Providence my life sustain'd,
And all my wants redrest,
When in the silent womb I lay,
And hung upon the breast.
To all my weak complaints and cries,
Thy mercy lent an ear,
Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt
To form themselves in prayer.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceiv'd
From whom those comforts flow'd.
When in the slipp'ry paths of youth,
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm, unseen, convey'd me safe,
And led me up to man.
Thro' hidden dangers, toils, and death,
It gently clear'd my way;
And thro' the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be feared than they.
When worn with sickness, oft hast thou,
With health renew'd my face,
And when in sin and sorrow sunk,
Reviv'd my soul with grace.
Thy bounteous hand, with worldly bliss,
Has made my cup run o'er;
And, in a kind and faithful friend,
Has doubled all my store.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts,
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy.
Thro' ev'ry period of my life,
Thy goodness I'll pursue;
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
To all my weak complaints and cries,
Thy mercy lent an ear,
Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt
To form themselves in prayer.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceiv'd
From whom those comforts flow'd.
When in the slipp'ry paths of youth,
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm, unseen, convey'd me safe,
And led me up to man.
Thro' hidden dangers, toils, and death,
It gently clear'd my way;
And thro' the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be feared than they.
When worn with sickness, oft hast thou,
With health renew'd my face,
And when in sin and sorrow sunk,
Reviv'd my soul with grace.
Thy bounteous hand, with worldly bliss,
Has made my cup run o'er;
And, in a kind and faithful friend,
Has doubled all my store.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts,
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy.
Thro' ev'ry period of my life,
Thy goodness I'll pursue;
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
When Nature fails, and day and night
Divide Thy works no more,
My ever-grateful heart, O Lord!
Thy mercy shall adore!
Thro' all Eternity, to Thee,
A joyful song I'll raise;
For O! Eternity's too short
To utter all Thy praise.
PROVIDENCE.
BY ADDISON.
THE Lord my pasture shall prepare,
And feed me with a shepherd's care;
His presence shall my wants supply,
And guard me with a watchful eye;
My noon-day walks he shall attend,
And all my midnight hours defend.
When in the sultry glebe I faint
Or on the thirsty mountain pant;
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weary wand'ring steps he leads;
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
Though in the paths of death I tread,
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
For thou, O Lord, art with me still:
Thy friendly crook shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade.
|