Classic Poem

Ah ! never, never shall I taste the joy
Which to thy children, Lord, belongs?
Never one favour'd pray'r my tongue employ,
In melody of Zion's songs!

Thou fulgent lamp, in whose all-cheering beams
The living clans of earth rejoice;
While fields, and hills, and woods, and sparkling streams
Eccho to joy's exulting voice;

To me, alas! the light of morning gay,
Like gloom of midnight is display'd:
To me thy noontide and thy western ray,
Is all but melancholy shade.

A weight of woe lies heavy on my heart,
Whole days and tedious months I mourn;
Since the sad hour I felt my God depart:
Ah! never will my God return?

Life's sweet amusements all in vain engage,
To yield my troubled soul relief:
Nor friendly converse, nor the story'd page,
Can charm to peace my restless grief.

Lord, yield one gracious look: one smile of thine
Shall cause my ravish'd heart to bound;
More than the season of o'erflowing wine,
When the glad vintage-shouts resound.