A FIGURATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE OF DIVINE LOVE,

IN BRINGING A SOUL TO THE POINT OF SELF-RENUNCIATION AND ABSOLUTE ACQUIESCENCE.

'Twas my purpose, on a day,
To embark, and sail away;
As I climb'd the vessel's side,

Love was sporting in the tide;

"Come," he said,-" ascend-make haste,

Launch into the boundless waste."

Many mariners were there,

Having each his separate care;

They that row'd us held their eyes
Fix'd upon the starry skies;
Others steer'd, or turn'd the sails
To receive the shifting gales.

Love, with power divine supplied,
Suddenly my courage tried;
In a moment it was night,

Ship and skies were out of sight;
On the briny wave I lay,
Floating rushes all my stay.

Did I with resentment burn
At this unexpected turn?

Did I wish myself on shore,
Never to forsake it more?

No-"My soul," I cried "be still;
If I must be lost, I will."

Next he hasten'd to convey
Both my frail supports away;
Seized my rushes; bade the waves
Yawn into a thousand graves :
Down I went, and sunk as lead,
Ocean closing o'er my head.

Still, however, life was safe;
And I saw him turn and laugh:
"Friend," he cried, "adieu! lie low,
While the wintry storms shall blow ;
When the spring has calm'd the main,
You shall rise and float again."

Soon I saw him, with dismay,
Spread his plumes, and soar away;
Now I mark his rapid flight;
Now he leaves my aching sight;
He is gone whom I adore,

"Tis in vain to seek him more.

How I trembled then and fear'd, When my love had disappear'd! "Wilt thou leave me thus," I cried, "Whelm❜d beneath the rolling tide?" Vain attempt to reach his ear! Love was gone, and would not hear.

Ah! return, and love me still ;

See me subject to thy will;

Frown with wrath, or smile with grace, Only let me see thy face!

Evil I have none to fear,

All is good, if thou art near.

Yet he leaves me-cruel fate!
Leaves me in my lost estate-
Have I sinn'd? Oh, say wherein ;
Tell me; and forgive my sin;
King, and Lord, whom I adore,
Shall I see thy face no more?

But not angry; I resign,
Henceforth, all my will to thine:
I consent that thou depart,

Though thine absence breaks my heart;

Go, then, and for ever too;

All is right that thou wilt do.

This was just what Love intended,
He was now no more offended;
Soon as I became a child,

Love return'd to me and smiled:

Never strife shall more betide

'Twixt the bridegroom and his bride.

A CHILD OF GOD LONGING TO SEE HIM

BELOVED.

THERE's not an echo round me,

But I am glad should learn,
How pure a fire has found me
The love with which I burn.
For none attends with pleasure
To what I would reveal;
They slight me out of measure,
And laugh at all I feel.

The rocks receive less proudly
The story of my flame;
When I approach, they loudly
Reverberate his name.

I speak to them of sadness,
And comforts at a stand;

They bid me look for gladness,
And better days at hand.

Far from all habitation,
I heard a happy sound;
Big with the consolation,
That I have often found;
I said "My lot is sorrow,
My grief has no alloy;'
The rocks replied-" To-morrow,
To-morrow brings thee joy."

These sweet and secret tidings,
What bliss it is to hear!
For, spite of all my chidings,
My weakness, and my fear,
No sooner I receive them,
Than I forget my pain,
And, happy to believe them,
I love as much again.

I fly to scenes romantic,

Where never men resort;

For in an age so frantic
Impiety is sport.

For riot and confusion

They barter things above; Condemning, as delusion, The joy of perfect love.

In this sequester'd corner, None hears what I express; Deliver❜d from the scorner, What peace do I possess ! Beneath the boughs reclining Or roving o'er the wild,

I live as undesigning

And harmless as a child.

No troubles here surprise me,

I innocently play,

While Providence supplies me,

And guards me all the day: