Classic Poem

1.

To Thee, the Judge inthron'd on high,
Shall injur'd Innocence apply:
O let my pray'r by Thee be heard,
From undissembling lips prefer'd;
O let my Doom from Thee proceed,
And gracious mark the upright deed.

2.

When night's dark shades were round me pour'd,
Thy thoughts my spirit have explor'd;
Say, to thy all-discerning eyes
If aught of guilt within me rise,
If offer'd violence and wrong
Have urg'd to Sin my thoughtless tongue.

3.

Taught by thy Word my stedfast mind
Has each nefarious path declin'd;
O still my Guardian, still my Guide,
Forbid my wav'ring feet to slide;
To Thee (for Thou the pray'r canst hear,)
To Thee my suppliant voice I rear;

4.

O treat me not with cold disdain,
Nor let my vows return in vain:
O Thou, whose hand th' oppressor quells,
And each invading pow'r repels
From him whose hopes on Thee repose,
To Me thy wondrous grace disclose.

5.

What care the pupil of the eye
Demands, that care to Me apply;
Let thy prevailing beams dispel
The clouds of grief that o'er me dwell,
" And keep, O keep me, King of Kings,
" Beneath thy own almighty wings. "

6.

Rich in my spoils, with murth'rous hate
A pamper'd croud around me wait;
Their heart, with impious fury stung,
To mad presumption prompts their tongue,
Pride on their neck its chain has bound,
And Violence invests them round.

7.

With watchful look they mark my way,
As lurks, expectant of the prey,
The Lion, or his tawny Brood
To rapine born, and nurs'd in blood;
Rise, Lord, and let me, by thy aid
Preserv'd, their threatning jaws evade:

8.

With sword unsheath'd, and lifted hand,
Preventive crush the lawless Band,
Whose Days, with Life's full blessings fraught,
To Earth's low scene confine their thought;
Whose eyes a num'rous race behold,
To heir their heaps of treasur'd gold.

9.

Far other bliss my soul shall own,
A bliss to guilty minds unknown
O! when, awaken'd by thy care,
Thy face I view, thy image bear,
How shall my breast with transport glow,
What full delight my heart o'erflow!