THE PENITENT.
Sorrowful, weak, dejected, and in fear,Most Merciful, I fall before thy throne!The world through wickedness is dark and drear,Peace and content are found in Heaven alone.A retrospect of sin behind me lies,A peccant youth all spent at Belial’s shrine!The meek Judæan beckoned from the skies;I heeded not, seduced by powers malign.The scales are fallen from my darkened sight,A potent euphrasy is poured therein;I look around with terror and affright,Behold the world is vanity and sin!With labor infinite, the race of menTheir ruined mansion struggle to restore;By their own might they think to make againThe Earth a happy Eden as of yore.This task no mortal skill can execute,All Archimedean subtleties are vain;Invention, sciences, and minds astute,Are baulked, like those of old on Shinar’s plain.Though unto us the elements becomeObsequious helots to our wills subdued;Though, Ariel-like, the glittering lightning run,To do our errands over land and flood;All is in vain—a doom—a deadly blightIs on us, and our space-embosomed home;Our fallen natures can be made uprightBy meek contrition and by faith alone.
Sorrowful, weak, dejected, and in fear,Most Merciful, I fall before thy throne!The world through wickedness is dark and drear,Peace and content are found in Heaven alone.A retrospect of sin behind me lies,A peccant youth all spent at Belial’s shrine!The meek Judæan beckoned from the skies;I heeded not, seduced by powers malign.The scales are fallen from my darkened sight,A potent euphrasy is poured therein;I look around with terror and affright,Behold the world is vanity and sin!With labor infinite, the race of menTheir ruined mansion struggle to restore;By their own might they think to make againThe Earth a happy Eden as of yore.This task no mortal skill can execute,All Archimedean subtleties are vain;Invention, sciences, and minds astute,Are baulked, like those of old on Shinar’s plain.Though unto us the elements becomeObsequious helots to our wills subdued;Though, Ariel-like, the glittering lightning run,To do our errands over land and flood;All is in vain—a doom—a deadly blightIs on us, and our space-embosomed home;Our fallen natures can be made uprightBy meek contrition and by faith alone.
Sorrowful, weak, dejected, and in fear,Most Merciful, I fall before thy throne!The world through wickedness is dark and drear,Peace and content are found in Heaven alone.
Sorrowful, weak, dejected, and in fear,
Most Merciful, I fall before thy throne!
The world through wickedness is dark and drear,
Peace and content are found in Heaven alone.
A retrospect of sin behind me lies,A peccant youth all spent at Belial’s shrine!The meek Judæan beckoned from the skies;I heeded not, seduced by powers malign.
A retrospect of sin behind me lies,
A peccant youth all spent at Belial’s shrine!
The meek Judæan beckoned from the skies;
I heeded not, seduced by powers malign.
The scales are fallen from my darkened sight,A potent euphrasy is poured therein;I look around with terror and affright,Behold the world is vanity and sin!
The scales are fallen from my darkened sight,
A potent euphrasy is poured therein;
I look around with terror and affright,
Behold the world is vanity and sin!
With labor infinite, the race of menTheir ruined mansion struggle to restore;By their own might they think to make againThe Earth a happy Eden as of yore.
With labor infinite, the race of men
Their ruined mansion struggle to restore;
By their own might they think to make again
The Earth a happy Eden as of yore.
This task no mortal skill can execute,All Archimedean subtleties are vain;Invention, sciences, and minds astute,Are baulked, like those of old on Shinar’s plain.
This task no mortal skill can execute,
All Archimedean subtleties are vain;
Invention, sciences, and minds astute,
Are baulked, like those of old on Shinar’s plain.
Though unto us the elements becomeObsequious helots to our wills subdued;Though, Ariel-like, the glittering lightning run,To do our errands over land and flood;
Though unto us the elements become
Obsequious helots to our wills subdued;
Though, Ariel-like, the glittering lightning run,
To do our errands over land and flood;
All is in vain—a doom—a deadly blightIs on us, and our space-embosomed home;Our fallen natures can be made uprightBy meek contrition and by faith alone.
All is in vain—a doom—a deadly blight
Is on us, and our space-embosomed home;
Our fallen natures can be made upright
By meek contrition and by faith alone.