REGENERATION. 1 A ward, and still in bonds, one day It was high spring, and all the way Blasted my And surly wind infant buds, and sin, Like clouds, eclipsed my mind. 2 Stormed thus, I straight perceived my spring Mere stage and show, My walk a monstrous, mountained thing, Measures the melancholy sky, Then drops, and rains for grief, 3 So sighed I upwards still; at last, I reached the pinnacle, where placed I took them up, and laid The other smoke and pleasures weighed, 4 With that some cried, Away; straight I Full east, a fair, fresh field could spy- A virgin soil, which no Rude feet e'er trod, Where, since he stept there, only go 5 Here I reposed, but scarce well set, Of stately height, whose branches met I entered, and, once in, Found all was changed, and a new spring 6 The unthrift sun shot vital gold And heaven its azure did unfold, A garland wore; thus fed my eyes, 7 Only a little fountain lent Some use for ears, And on the dumb shades language spent, I drew her near, and found Of divers stones, some bright and round, 8 The first, (pray mark,) as quick as light Danced through the flood; But the last, more heavy than the night, VOL. II. 241 I wondered much, but tired My restless eye, that still desired, 9 It was a bank of flowers, where I descried (Though 'twas mid-day) Some fast asleep, others broad-eyed And taking in the ray; Here musing long I heard A rushing wind, Which still increased, but whence it stirred, 10 I turned me round, and to each shade To see if any leaf had made Least motion or reply; But while I, listening, sought By knowing where 'twas, or where not, 'Lord,' then said I, 'on me one breath, 'Arise, O north, and come, thou south wind; and blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.'-CANT. iv. 16. RESURRECTION AND IMMORTALITY. 'By that new and living way, which he hath prepared for us, through the veil, which is his flesh.'-HEB. X. 20. BODY. 1 Oft have I seen, when that renewing breath That binds and loosens death Inspired a quickening power through the dead Creatures abed, Some drowsy silk-worm creep From that long sleep, And in weak, infant hummings chime and knell Until at last, full with the vital ray, And, proud with life and sense, Esteemed (vain things!) of two whole elements Or that he can endure to be unjust Who keeps his covenant even with our dust? SOUL 2 Poor querulous handful! was't for this And how of death we make A mere mistake; For no thing can to nothing fall, but still And then returns, and from the womb of things. As phoenix-like renew'th Both life and youth; For a preserving spirit doth still pass Untainted through this mass, Which doth resolve, produce, and ripen all That to it fall; Nor are those births, which we Thus suffering see, Destroyed at all; but when time's restless wave And the more noble essence finds his house He, ever young, doth wing And source of spirits, where he takes his lot, His passive cottage; which, (though laid aside,) Shall one day rise, and, clothed with shining light, Remarry to the soul, for 'tis most plain 3 Then I that here saw darkly in a glass But mists and shadows pass, And, by their own weak shine, did search the springs And course of things, Shall with enlightened rays Pierce all their ways; And as thou saw'st, I in a thought could go To read some star, or mineral, and in state So shalt thou then with me, Both winged and free, Rove in that mighty and eternal light, Shall dare approach us; we shall there no more Watch stars, or pore Through melancholy clouds, and say, |