Classic Poem

VI

And Thou bright Goddess of the Day !
For whom all longing Eyes and Hearts prepare;
These tender panting, those soft Tears of Joy ,
And with impatient Murm'rings fill the Air;
O Charming Goddess of the Day appear!
Full of Thy Blest Idea , they disdain
A vulgar thought to entertain;
Big with Prophetick Joy , they lab'ring wait
To utter Blessings wonderful and great ;
This day no rough Fatigues of Life shall vex,
No more Domestick Cares the mind perplex;
All common thoughts are lost in the vast crowd of Joy ,
This Jubilee ! this Sacred Holy-day!
The Soul resolves for Mirth and Play .
She leaves all Worldly thoughts behind,
And in Her hast out-strips the wanton Wind;
Wou'd ev'n her early vows neglect to pay,
But that to Heav'n you guide the way;
When for Your safety all agree to Pray .
The Poor Man now forgets his pressing needs ,
No Penury his exalted looks confess,
Neglects the Body , while the Soul he feeds
On fancy'd pleasures scarce arriv'd in guess .
No sad Complaints ascend the Sky's,
No Nymphs reproach'd in Lovers sighs ,
Or Maid forsaken, bends her lovely eyes.
All with erected Looks salute the World!
None bow beneath the Pressure of a thought,
Unless where Envy has her Vipers hurl'd,
And raging Malice even to Madness wrought,
They hate the Light that guides the work Divine ;
And how'l and gnash their Teeth, and suffer Hell before their time.
The Brave are glad, and gay, the young rejoyce,
The old in Prayers and Blessings lift the Voice;
Virgins the wealth of Flow'ry April bring,
And all the Muses , and the Angels sing!