Longing after Unseen Pleasures

How long shall earth's alluring toys
Detain our hearts and eyes;
Regardless of immortal joys,
And strangers to the skies?

These transient scenes Will soon decay,
They fade upon the sight;
And quickly will their brightest day
Be lost in endless night.

Their brightest day, alas, how vain!
With conscious sighs we own;
While clouds of sorrow, care and pain,
O'ershade the smiling noon.

O could our thoughts and wishes fly,
Above these gloomy shades,
To those bright worlds beyond the sky
Which sorrow ne'er invades.

There joys unseen by mortal eyes
Or reason's feeble ray,
In ever-blooming prospect rise,
Unconscious of decay.

Lord, send a beam of light divine,
To guide our upward aim;
With one reviving touch of thine,
Our languid hearts inflame.

Then shall on faith's sublimest wing
Our ardent wishes rise
To those bright scenes, where pleasures spring
Immortal in the skies!