When first I saw true beauty, and thy joys Active as light, and calm without all noise Shined on my soul, I felt through all my powers Such a rich air of sweets, as evening showers Fanned by a gentle gale convey and breathe On some parched bank, crowned with a flow'ry wreath; Odours, and myrrh, and balm in one rich flood O'er-ran my heart, and spirited my blood, My thoughts did swim in comforts, and mine eye Confessed, @3The world did only paint and lie@1. And where before I did no safe course steer But wandered under tempests all the year, Went bleak and bare in body as in mind, And was blown through by ev'ry storm and wind, I am so warmed now by this glance on me, That, midst all storms I feel a ray of thee; So have I known some beauteous @3paisage@1 rise In sudden flowers and arbours to my eyes, And in the depth and dead of winter bring To my cold thoughts a lively sense of spring. Thus fed by thee, who dost all beings nourish, My withered leafs again look green and flourish, I shine and shelter underneath thy wing Where sick with love I strive thy name to sing, Thy glorious name! which grant I may so do That these may be thy @3praise@1, and my @3joy@1 too. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE VIKING GRAVE AT LADBY by KAREN SWENSON THE MAIZE by WILLIAM WHITEMAN FOSDICK THE FIRST PROCLAMATION OF MILES STANDISH [NOVEMBER 23, 1620] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON THE OLD HOKUM BUNCOMBE by ROBERT EMMET SHERWOOD ISAIAH: FIFTY-SECOND CHAPTER by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE GOOD SAMARITAN by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD LIFE PASSES ON by MARIANNE CLARKE |