Is it departing pangs my soul alarms?

Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode ?
For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms:
I tremble to approach an angry God,
And justly smart beneath his sin-avenging rod.

II

Fain would I say: 'Forgive my foul offence,'
Fain promise never more to disobey.

But should my Author health again dispense,
Again I might desert fair virtue's way;
Again in folly's path might go astray;

Again exalt the brute and sink the man :
Then how should I for heavenly mercy pray,

Who act so counter heavenly mercy's plan?

Who sin so oft have mourn'd, yet to temptation ran ?

III

O. Thou great Governor of all below!—
If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee,—
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow,
Or still the tumult of the raging sea :
With that controlling pow'r assist ev'n me
Those headlong furious passions to confine,
For all unfit I feel my pow'rs to be

To rule their torrent in th' allowèd line:

O, aid me with Thy help, Omnipotence Divine !

PRAYER: O THOU DREAD POWER

Lying at a reverend friend's house one night the author left the following verses in the room where he slept.

I

O THOU dread Power, who reign'st above,
I know thou wilt me hear,

When for this scene of peace and love
I make my prayer sincere.

II

The hoary Sire-the mortal stroke,
Long, long be pleas'd to spare:

To bless his little filial flock,

And show what good men are.

III

She, who her lovely offspring eyes
With tender hopes and fears-
O, bless her with a mother's joys,
But spare a mother's tears!

IV

Their hope, their stay, their darling youth,
In manhood's dawning blush,

Bless him, Thou God of love and truth,
Up to a parent's wish.

V

The beauteous, seraph sister-band

With earnest tears I pray

Thou know'st the snares on every hand,

Guide Thou their steps alway.

VI

When, soon or late, they reach that coast,
O'er Life's rough ocean driven,
May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost,
A family in Heaven!

PARAPHRASE OF THE FIRST PSALM

I

THE man, in life wherever plac'd,

Hath happiness in store,

Who walks not in the wicked's way
Nor learns their guilty lore;

II

Nor from the seat of scornful pride
Casts forth his eyes abroad,
But with humility and awe
Still walks before his God!

III

That man shall flourish like the trees,
Which by the streamlets grow:
The fruitful top is spread on high,

And firm the root below.

IV

But he, whose blossom buds in guilt,
Shall to the ground be cast,
And, like the rootless stubble, tost
Before the sweeping blast.

V

For why? that God the good adore
Hath giv'n them peace and rest,
But hath decreed that wicked men
Shall ne'er be truly blest.

PRAYER UNDER THE PRESSURE OF VIOLENT ANGUISH

I

O THOU Great Being! what Thou art

Surpasses me to know;

Yet sure I am, that known to Thee

Are all Thy works below.

II

Thy creature here before Thee stands,

All wretched and distrest;

Yet sure those ills that wring my soul

Obey Thy high behest.

III

Sure Thou, Almighty, canst not act
From cruelty or wrath!

O, free my weary eyes from tears,
Or close them fast in death!

IV

But, if I must afflicted be

To suit some wise design,

Then man my soul with firm resolves

To bear and not repine!

THE NINETIETH PSALM VERSIFIED

I

O THOU, the first, the greatest friend

Of all the human race!

Whose strong right hand has ever been

Their stay and dwelling place!