Then, while we mingle dust with dust, And man most happy when he dies! Fair spring at last Receives him on her flowery shore! Where pleasure's rose Immortal blows, And sin and sorrow are no more! VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute; That sages have seen in thy face? I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone; The beasts that roam over the plain Society, friendship, and love, In the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age, And be cheer'd by the sallies of youth Religion! what treasure untold Resides in that heavenly word! Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. Though a friend I am never to see. How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compared with the speed of its flight. The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift-winged arrows of light. Soon hurries me back to despair. But the sea-fowl has gone to her nest, And I to my cabin repair. And reconciles man to his lot. ADDRESS TO THE DEITY. O, THOU! Whom eye hath seen not-nor shall see; Whose way is in the deep !—whose steps unknown; Enshrined, thyself, in clouds of mystery, Yet darting beams of heavenly brightness down!Thou art my God! and prostrate at thy throne, And firm in faith, and strengthen'd in thy power, I yield my all :-O God! accept thine own, From the frail heart that seeks to know no more Than that thou liv'st and reign'st-to tremble and adore! O! let my soul, content to worship Thee, Each daring thought, each prouder wish resign, Till thine own voice shall set the spirit free, O! not on doubt's interminable main Let my frail bark by varying winds be cross'd; To the wreck'd wretch, the port for ever lost! toss'd!" And speak of comfort, "Comfortless!" to thee? Who but the power that knows thy weakness most? And in his own good time can set thee free, Spreading the oil of Peace o'er thy tumultuous sea! And let not him who never felt a fear, Safe in his pride of heart, thy woes deride : Perhaps that scornful eye or brow severe Hath thoughts less hallow'd than thine own to hide. Even the dark days of doubt have purified Thy chasten'd soul from many an earthly stain, And driven afar the demon power of Pride, That once had mark'd thee in his menial train, But now hath lost his slave, and spreads his lures in vain! Poor child of darkness! happier in thy tears Happier than they that mock them as they flow; With all thy doubts, thy weakness, and thy fears, Thy heart hath learn'd this simple truth to know,— That not to man, whose dwelling is below, Whose brother is the worm, whose bed the dustPartner with thee in want, and guilt, and wo,— Doth God the records of thy deeds intrust; But He alone is Judge-whose law alone is just. Father of light! whose loveliest name is LOVE! Whose throne the contrite seek, the guilty fly,Thou art my God: around, beneath, above, I see no frowns-no terror in thine eye! All breathes of that pervading harmony Which draws from present ill the future good; All points our spirits to that peaceful sky, Where, banish'd far, nor sorrow's wayward mood, Nor fancy's evil train, nor real ills intrude! But who shall know Thee, and be known of Thee, When thou, Great Shepherd! call'st us to thy fold? And who shall taste thy glorious liberty, And, "face to face," thine awful form behold? O, God! O, Father! mould our spirits-mould To thine each purpose of the obedient heart; Shake off the mists that now our eyes infold; Let every fear but fear of thee depart; And let us see thy face and know thee as THOU ART! |