Wonder
by Thomas TraherneOriginal Language English
How like an angel came I down!
How bright are all things here!
When first among his works I did appear,
Oh, how their Glory me did crown!
The world resembled his Eternity.
In which my soul did walk;
And every thing that I did see
Did with me talk.
The skies in their magnificence.
The lively, lovely air;
Oh, how divine, how soft, how sweet, how fair!
The stars did entertain my sense,
And all the works of God so bright and pure,
So rich and great did seem
As if they ever must endure
In my esteem.
A native health and innocence
Within my bones did grow,
And while my God did all his glories show,
I felt a vigour in my sense
That was all spirit. I within did flow
With seas of life, like wine;
I nothing in the world did know,
But 'twas divine.
Harsh, ragged objects were concealed,
Oppressions, tears, and cries,
Sins, griefs, complaints, dissentions, weeping eyes,
Were hid: and only things revealed
Which heavenly spirits and the angels prize.
The State of Innoncence
And Bliss, not trades and poverties,
Did fill my sense.
The streets were paved with golden stones,
The boys and girls were mine;
Oh, how did all their lovely faces shine!
The Sons of Men were Holy Ones,
Joy, Beauty, Welfare did appear to me,
And every thing which here I found,
While like an angel I did see,
Adorned the ground.
Rich diamond, and pearl, and gold
In every place was seen;
Rare splendours, yellow, blue, red, white, and green,
Mine eyes did everywhere behold;
Great Wonders clothed with Glory did appear,
Amazement was my Bliss.
That and my wealth was everywhere:
No Joy to this...
 | -- from Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs |
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