SPECIMENS OF ENGLISH POETRY. 10 10 PROVIDENCE. A HYMN. THE Lord my pasture shall prepare, And guard me with a watchful eye: When in the sultry glebe I faint, B 15 Though in a bare and rugged way, ADDISON. GRATITUDE. WHEN all thy mercies, O my God, 20 That glows within my ravish'd heart! But Thou canst read it there. Thy providence my life sustain'd, And all my wants redrest, When in the silent womb I lay, And hung upon the breast. To all my weak complaints and cries Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learn'd Unnumber'd comforts to my Thy tender care bestow'd, soul 10 15 Before my infant heart conceived From whom those comforts flow'd. 20 When in the slippery paths of youth Thine arm unseen convey'd me safe, Through hidden dangers, toils, and death, 25 And through the pleasing snares of vice, More to be fear'd than they. When worn with sickness, oft hast thou With health renew'd my face; 90 And when in sins and sorrows sunk, Revived my soul with grace. Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss Has made my cup run o'er, 95 And in a kind and faithful friend Ten thousand thousand precious gifts My daily thanks employ, Nor is the least a cheerful heart, That tastes those gifts with joy. 40 45 Through every period of my life Thy goodness I'll pursue, When nature fails, and day and night My ever-grateful heart, O Lord, Through all eternity, to Thee To utter all thy praise. ADDISON. |