Desiring to Bid Adieu to the World

Vexatious world, thy flattering snares
Too long have held my easy heart;
And shalt thou still engross my cares?
Vain world, depart.

I want delights thou canst not give,
Thy joys are bitterness and woe;
My pining spirit cannot live
On aught below.

Enchanting prospects court the eye,
And gay alluring pleasures smile;
But in the fond pursuit they die:
Ah fruitless toil!

But grief, substantial grief is here,
As gloomy as Egyptian night;
When will the smiling dawn appear
Of true delight?

How oft convinc'd shall I complain
That happiness cannot be found?
Yet sighing, mourning, still in vain,
Cleave to the ground.

Look, Sov'reign Goodness, from the skies,
Look down with gently-pitying eye;
O bid my fainting spirit rise:
To thee I sigh.

With beams of sweet celestial light,
Dispel the dark oppressive gloom;
Display the mansions of delight,
And bid me come.

Those shining realms of endless day
Could I one happy moment view,
Then should my soul with transports say,
Vain world, adieu.