Page:The poetical works of William Cowper (IA poeticalworksof00cowp).pdf/113

 Devoted as it is to thee,
 * A thievish swarm frequents the place;

They steal away my joys from me,
 * And rob my Saviour of his praise.

There, too, a sharp designing trade
 * Sin, Satan, and the World maintain;

Nor cease to press me, and persuade
 * To part with ease, and purchase pain.

I know them, and I hate their din;
 * Am weary of the bustling crowd;

But while their voice is heard within,
 * I cannot serve thee as I would.

Oh for the joy thy presence gives,
 * What peace shall reign when thou art here!

Thy presence makes this den of thieves
 * A calm delightful house of prayer.

And if thou make thy temple shine,
 * Yet, self-abased, will I adore;

The gold and silver are not mine;
 * I give thee what was thine before.

, my soul! it is the Lord;
 * 'Tis thy Saviour, hear his word;

Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,
 * "Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me?

"I delivered thee when bound,
 * And when bleeding, healed thy wound;

Sought thee wandering, set thee right;
 * Turned thy darkness into light.

"Can a woman's tender care
 * Cease towards the child she bare?

Yes, she may forgetful be,
 * Yet will I remember thee.

"Mine is an unchanging love,
 * Higher than the heights above,

Deeper than the depths beneath,
 * Free and faithful, strong as death.

"Thou shalt see my glory soon,
 * When the work of grace is done;

Partner of my throne shalt be;—
 * Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me?"

Lord, it is my chief complaint,
 * That my love is weak and faint;

Yet I love thee and adore,—
 * Oh! for grace to love thee more!

passions discompose the mind,
 * As tempests vex the sea;

But calm content and peace we find,
 * When, Lord, we turn to thee.

In vain by reason and by rule
 * We try to bend the will;

For none but in the Saviour's school
 * Can learn the heavenly skill.

Since at his feet my soul has sate,
 * His gracious words to hear,

Contented with my present state,
 * I cast on him my care.

"Art thou a sinner, soul?" he said,
 * "Then how canst thou complain?

How light thy troubles here, if weighed
 * With everlasting pain!

"If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured,
 * Compare thy griefs with mine;

Think what my love for thee endured,
 * And thou wilt not repine.

"'Tis I appoint thy daily lot,
 * And I do all things well;

Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot,
 * And rise with me to dwell.

"In life my grace shall strength supply,
 * Proportioned to thy day;

At death thou still shalt find me nigh,
 * To wipe thy tears away."

Thus I, who once my wretched days
 * In vain repinings spent,

Taught in my Saviour's school of grace,
 * Have learned to be content.

in ancient days
 * Not only had a view
 * Of Sinai in a blaze,
 * But learned the Gospel too;

The types and figures were a glass, In which they saw a Saviour's face.