Classic Poem

1.

Plac'd on the verge of Youth, my mind
Life's op'ning scene survey'd:
I view'd its ills of various kind,
Afflicted and afraid.

2.

But chief my fear the dangers mov'd,
That Virtue's path inclose:
My heart the wise pursuit approv'd;
But O, what toils oppose!

3.

For see, Ah! see, while yet her ways
With doubtful step I tread,
A hostile World its terrors raise,
Its snares delusive spread.

4.

O! how shall I, with heart prepar'd,
Those terrors learn to meet?
How from the thousand snares to guard
My unexperienc'd feet?

5.

As thus I mus'd, oppressive Sleep
Soft o'er my temples drew
Oblivion's veil. The watry Deep,
An object strange and new,

6.

Before me rose: on the wide shore
Observant as I stood,
The gath'ring storms around me roar,
And heave the boiling flood.

7.

Near and more near the billows rise;
Ev'n now my steps they lave;
And death to my affrighted eyes
Approach'd in ev'ry wave.

8.

What hope, or whither to retreat?
Each nerve at once unstrung,
Chill fear had fetter'd fast my feet,
And chain'd my speechless tongue.

9.

I feel my heart within me die;
When sudden to mine ear
A voice descending from on high
Reprov'd my erring fear.

10.

" What though the swelling surge thou see
" Impatient to devour?
" Rest, Mortal, rest on God's decree,
" And thankful own his pow'r.

11.

" Know, when he bade the Deep appear,
" Thus far, th' Almighty said,
" Thus far, nor farther, rage; and Here
" Let thy proud waves be stay'd. "

12.

I heard: and lo! at once controul'd,
The waves in wild retreat
Back on themselves reluctant roll'd,
And murm'ring lest my feet.

13.

Deeps to assembling Deeps in vain
Once more the signal gave:
The shores the rushing weight sustain,
And check th' usurping wave.

14.

Convinc'd, in Nature's volume wise
The imag'd truth I read;
And sudden from my waking eyes
Th' instructive Vision fled.

15.

Then why thus heavy, O my Soul?
Say why, distrustful still,
Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll
O'er scenes of future ill.

16.

Let Faith suppress each rising fear,
Each anxious doubt exclude:
Thy Maker's will has plac'd thee here,
A Maker wise and good.

17.

He to thy ev'ry trial knows
Its just restraint to give,
Attentive to behold thy woes,
And faithful to relieve.

18.

Then why thus heavy, O my Soul?
Say why distrustful still
Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll
O'er scenes of future ill.

19.

Though griefs unnumber'd throng thee round,
Still in thy God confide,
Whose finger marks the Seas their bound,
And curbs the headlong Tide.