Classic Poem

Grace , thou source of each perfection,
Favour from the height thy ray;
Thou the star of all direction,
Child of endless truth and day.

Thou that bidst my cares be calmer,
Lectur'd what to seek and shun,
Come, and guide a western palmer
To the Virgin and her Son.

Lo! I travel in the spirit,
On my knees my course I steer
To the house of might and merit
With humility and fear.

Poor at least as John or Peter
I my vows alone prefer;
But the strains of love are sweeter
Than the frankincense and myrrh.

Neither purse nor scrip I carry,
But the books of life and pray'r;
Nor a staff my foe to parry,
'Tis the cross of Christ I bear.

From a heart serene and pleasant
'Midst unnumber'd ills I feel,
I will meekly bring my present,
And with sacred verses kneel.

Muse, through Christ the Word, inventive
Of the praise so greatly due;
Heav'nly gratitude retentive
Of the bounties ever new;

Fill my heart with genuine treasures,
Pour them out before his feet,
High conceptions, mystic measures,
Springing strong and flowing sweet.

Come, ye creatures of thanksgiving,
Which are harmoniz'd to bless,
Birds that warble for your living,
Beasts with ways of love express.

Thou the shepherd's faithful fellow,
As he lies by Cedron's stream,
Where soft airs and waters mellow
Take their Saviour for their theme.

Thou too gaily grave domestic,
With whose young fond childhood plays,
Held too mean for verse majestic,
First with me thy Maker praise.

Brousing kids, and lambkins grazing,
Colts and younglings of the drove,
Come with all your modes of praising,
Bounding through the leafless grove.

Ye that skill the flow'rs to fancy,
And in just assemblage sort,
Pluck the primrose, pluck the pansy,
And your prattling troop exhort.

‘Little men, in Jesus mighty,
‘And ye maids that go alone,
‘Bodies chaste, and spirits flighty,
‘Ere the world and guilt are known.

‘Breath so sweet, and cheeks so rosy—
‘Put your little hands to pray,
‘Take ye ev'ry one a posy,
‘And away to Christ, away.’—

Youth, benevolence, and beauty,
In your Saviour's praise agree,
Which this day receives our duty,
Sitting on the virgin's knee.

That from this day's institution
Ev'ry penitent in deed,
At his hour of retribution,
As a child, through him may speed.