Classic Poem

Far have I clamber'd in my mind
But nought so great as love I find:
Deep-searching wit, mount-moving might
Are nought compar'd to that good spright.
Light of delight and soul of bliss!
Sure source of lasting happiness!
Higher than Heaven! lower than hell!
What is thy tent? where may'st thou dwell?
My mansion hight humility,
Heaven's vastest capability.
The further it doth downward tend
The higher up it doth ascend;
If it go down to utmost nought
It shall return with that it sought.
Lord stretch thy tent in my strait breast,
Enlarge it downward, that sure rest
May there be pight; for that pure fire
Wherewith thou wontest to inspire
All self-dead souls. My life is gone,
Sad solitude's my irksome wonne.
Cut off from men and all this world
In Lethe's lonesome ditch I am hurl'd.
Nor might nor sight doth ought me move,
Nor do I care to be above.
O feeble rays of mental light!
That best be seen in this dark night,
What are you? what is any strength
If it be not laid in one length
With pride or love? I nought desire
But a new life or quite t'expire.
Could I demolish with mine eye
Strong towers, stop the fleet Stars in sky,
Bring down to earth the pale-fac'd Moon,
Or turn black midnight to bright noon:
Though all things were put in my hand,
As parch'd as dry as th' Libyan sand
Would be my life if Charity
Were wanting. But Humility
Is more than my poor soul durst crave
That lies intomb'd in lowly grave.
But if't were lawful up to send
My voice to Heaven, this should it rend:
Lord thrust me deeper into dust
That thou may'st raise me with the just.