Classic Poem

On the DIVINE ATTRIBUTES.

Let those that hate thee tremble at thy name,
Thy being is my confidence and joy.
Abstract from all things else, I find in thee
A secret, an unfailing spring of peace:
Alacrity and pleasure fill my soul,
To think thou art, and that compar'd to thee
Things seen, and things unseen, deserve no name.

Thou only art without variety,
Or shadow of a change, immutable.
Perish this visionary form of things?[!]
In darkness be the gay creation lost!
While thou remain'st unchang'd, with joy these eyes
Could gaze on nature's universal wreck,
See heav'n and earth in one vast ruin sink,
And smile upon the glorious desolation.

Thou hast no attribute but gives me joy,
Be as thou art, severe in holiness!
My highest reason loves thy perfect laws,
Thou righteous King of saints? [!] Pure as thou art,
And sinful as I am, I triumph still:
My guilt is all my own, and thou art clear.
From the low depths of misery and dust,
With angels and archangels round thy throne,
To thy dominion and unbounded sway
I join my glad assent. — — Be all thy foes
In just derision had [held?], and vile contempt,
While thy bright throne for ever stands secure!

Be absolute! be uncontroul'd and free!
Thou canst not be unjust, howe'er above
The view of man thy ways. — — A time will come,
When all shall be explain'd; and conqu'ring love,
The splendor and the beauty of thy face,
Victorious love, shall shine on all thy works.

For, oh! what daring thought shall limit thee,
Thou darling attribute of the Most High,
And greatest of his names? — — A heart subdu'd
Like mine, must make its loudest boasts of thee:
My life, my glory and salvation's thine,
And thine shall be my everlasting song.

In these cold regions thou hast warm'd my heart,
And gently trac'd some faint resemblance there.
But, oh! thou charming pow'r, that canst efface
All the remains of enmity and pride,
Transform me to thine image, let me wear
No character but thine: Be thou my life,
Its spring, its motion, constant as my breath;
Dwell on my tongue, and govern all my soul,
Till faith and hope be swallow'd up of thee.

These eyes shall see thee then supremely fair;
Apparent in the heights of excellence,
And perfect beauty thou shalt stand reveal'd.
Blessings and smiles, unmeasurable grace,
Essential glories, ever-blooming life,
Prospects of pleasure, regions of delight,
The heav'n of heav'ns, visions ineffable,
At once shall all their dazzling pomp unfold,
And open in thy fair unclouded face.