The Wish

Should lavish wealth display her shining stores,
Or smiling fame her noblest wreaths present;
Should pleasure, drest in all her soothing charms,
Approach, their proffer'd joys were all in vain
To tempt my better hopes. There's nothing here
To feed th' immortal mind; no earthly good
Can fill my large desires, sublime they soar
Beyond this narrow scene of transient joy,
To God, the spring of life, the source of bliss,
Of perfect bliss, and everlasting life!

Low at thy glorious feet, eternal God,
I prostrate fall, and humbly breathe my wish.
I ask not riches, 'tis but gilded care,
Nor fame, nor pleasure, fleeting shadows all,
And vain delusive dreams of happiness!
No, 'tis thy gracious presence, Lord, I ask,
The cheering beams of thy almighty love:
To these, earth's brightest charms appear no more
Than glow-worms lost amid the blaze of noon.
An int'rest in thy favour, O my God,
Is all my wish — for this alone contains
Full happiness. — One ray of solid hope
That thou art mine, is worth a thousand worlds.
Thy presence, Lord, can gild the shades of death,
And turn the darkness to celestial day.
At thy approach, black doubt and gloomy fear
Retreat like mists before the rising sun.
While joys immortal dawning o'er the soul,
Diffuse new life, and give a taste of heaven.
O could I see, on thy dear hand imprest
In lasting characters my worthless name;
Could I without a wav'ring doubt behold
Thy blissful face, and say, thou art my God!
Not earth with all the charms it has in store
Should bribe my love, or draw my heart from thee