Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 2 ‎#118

118. A Thought in Sickness

I. How weak, how languid is th'immortal mind!
Prison'd in clay! ah, how unlike her birth!
These noble pow'rs for active life design'd,
Despress'd with pain and grief, sink down to earth.

II. Unworthy dwelling of a heav'n-born guest!
Ah no!—for sin, the cause of grief and pain,
Taints her first purity, forbids her rest;
And justly is she doom'd to wear the chain.

III. To wear the chain—how long? 'till grace divine
By griefs and pains shall wean from earthly toys;
'Till grace convince, invigorate, refine,
And thus prepare the mind for heav'nly joys.

IV. Then, O my God, let this reviving thought
To all thy dispensations reconcile;
Be present pains with future blessings fraught,
And let my chearful hope look up and smile.

V. Look up, and smile, to hail the glorious day,
(Jesus, to thee this blissful hope I owe,)
When I shall leave this tenement of clay,
With all its frailties, all its pains below.

VI. Jesus, in thee, in thee I trust, to raise,
Renew'd, refin'd, and fair, this frail abode;
Then my whole frame shall speak thy wond'rous praise,
Forever consecrated to my God.

Text Information

• First Line: How weak, how languid is th'immortal mind!
• Title: A Thought in Sickness
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1760

Tune Information

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