Aspirations Of The Soul After God
My Spouse! in whose presence I live, Sole object of all my desires, Who know'st what a flame I conceive, And canst easily double its fires! How pleasant is all that I meet! From fear of adversity free, I find even sorrow made sweet; Because 'tis assigned me by thee. Transported I see thee display Thy riches and glory divine; I have only my life to repay, Take what I would gladly resign. Thy will is the treasure I seek, For thou art as faithful as strong; There let me, obedient and meek, Repose myself all the day long. My spirit and faculties fail; Oh, finish what love has begun! Destroy what is sinful and frail, And dwell in the soul thou hast won! Dear theme of my wonder and praise, I cry, who is worthy as thou? I can only be silent and gaze! 'Tis all that is left to me now. Oh, glory in which I am lost, Too deep for the plummet of thought; On an ocean of Deity tossed, I am swallowed, I sink into nought. Yet, lost and absorbed as I seem, I chant to the praise of my King; And, though overwhelmed by the theme, Am happy whenever I sing.
William Cowper’s other poems:
