SONNET

ON THE

COMPLETION OF NOYES S TRANSLATION OF THE PROPHETS.

November, 1837.

In rural life, by Jordan's fertile bed,
The holy prophets learned of yore to sing;
The sacred ointment bathed a ploughman's head,
The shepherd boy became the minstrel king.
And he who to our later ears would bring
The deep, rich fervors of their ancient lays,
Should dwell apart from man's too public ways,
And quaff pure thoughts from Nature's quiet spring.
Thus hath he chose his lot, whom city pride
And college hall might well desire to claim;
With sainted seers communing side by side,
And freshly honoring their illustrious name.
He hears them in the field at eventide,

And what their spirit speaks his lucid words proclaim.

19

THE DWELLING-PLACE OF GOD.

August 17, 1813.

GOD dwells in heaven: he rules above,
In everlasting might,

Beyond where stars their courses move,
In uncreated light.

God dwells in hell his vengeance there
Gleams through the black abode;
The realms of anguish and despair
Confess the present God.

God dwells on earth; and all around
We view his wondrous power;
His terrors in the thunder sound,
His mercies in the shower.

When man erects a house of prayer,
There God resides within,
To witness every feeling there,

And pardon every sin.

But most of all the Lord resides

Within an humble mind;

The worth that modest merit hides

His grace is sure to find.

By pious men he may be found,
And every where adored;

Where'er they tread is holy ground,
A temple to the Lord.

O, let me find thee every where-
Around me, and within!

Be every day a day of prayer,
And pure from every sin.

HYMN,

ON REVELATION IV. 2, 3; XV. 3.

1823.

AROUND the throne of God
The host angelic throngs;
They spread their palms abroad,
And shout perpetual songs.
Him first they own,
Him last and best;
God ever blest,
And God alone.

Their golden crowns they fling
Before his throne of light,
And strike the rapturous string,
Unceasing, day and night:
"Earth, heaven, and sea,
Thy praise declare;
For thine they are,

And thine shall be.

"O holy, holy Lord,

Creation's sovereign King!

Thy majesty adored

Let all creation sing;

Who wast, and art,
And art to be;

Nor time shall see
Thy sway depart.

"Great are thy works of praise,
O God of boundless might!
All just and true thy ways,
Thou King of saints, in light!
Let all above,

And all below,

Conspire to show
Thy power and love.

"Who shall not fear thee, Lord,

And magnify thy name? Thy judgments, sent abroad,

Thy holiness proclaim.

Nations shall throng

From every shore,

And all adore

In one loud song."

While thus the powers on high

Their swelling chorus raise,

Let earth and man reply,

And echo back the praise;

His glory own,

First, last, and best,

God ever blest,

And God alone.

19*