Classic Poem

I.

M Y God, the visits of thy face
 Afford superior joy,
To all the flattering world can give,
 Or mortal hopes employ.

II.

But clouds and darkness intervene,
 My brightest joys decline,
And earth's gay trifles oft ensnare
 This wandering heart of mine.

III.

Lord, guide this wandering heart to thee;
 Unsatisfy'd I stray:
Break through the shades of sense and sin,
 With thine enlivening ray.

IV.

O let thy beams resplendent shine,
 And every cloud remove;
Transform my powers, and fit my soul
 For happier scenes above.

V.

There Jesus reigns! may I be cloath'd
 With his divine array;
And when I close these eyes in death,
 Awake to endless day:

VI.

To endless day! to perfect life!
 To bliss without alloy!
Where not the least faint cloud shall rise,
 To intercept the joy:

VII.

To view, unveil'd, thy radiant face,
 Thou everlasting fair!
And chang'd to spotless purity,
 Thy glorious likeness wear:

VIII.

To feast, with ever new delight,
 On uncreated good,
And drink full satisfying draughts
 Of pleasure's sacred flood.

IX.

O bliss too high for mortal thought!
 It awes, and yet inspires:
Fain would my soul, unfetter'd, rise
 In more intense desires.

X.

Lord, raise my faith, my hope, my heart:
 To those transporting joys;
Then shall I scorn each little snare,
 Which this vain world employs:

XI.

Then, though I sink in death's cold sleep.
 I shall awake to bliss,
And in the likeness of my God,
 Find endless happiness.