Page:The poetical works of Robert Burns.djvu/123
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THE POEMS OF BURNS.
71
LYING AT A REVEREND FRIEND'S HOUSE ONE NIGHT.
THE AUTHOR LEFT THE FOLLOWING VERSES IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT.
O Thou dread Pow'r, who reign'st above,I know Thou wilt me hear;When for this scene of peace and love,I make my pray'r sincere.
The hoary sire—the mortal stroke,Long, long, be pleas'd to spare;To bless his little filial flock,And show what good men are.
She, who her lovely offspring eyesWith tender hopes and fears,O, bless her with a mother's joys,But spare a mother's tears!
Their hope, their stay, their darling youth,In manhood's dawning blush;Bless him, thou God of love and truthUp to a parent's wish.
The beauteous, seraph sister-band,With earnest tears I pray,Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand,Guide Thou their steps alway.
When soon or late they reach that coast,O'er life's rough ocean driven,May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost,A family in Heaven!
THE FIRST SIX VERSES OF THE NINETIETH PSALM.
O Thou, the first, the greatest friendOf all the human race!Whose strong right hand has ever beenTheir stay and dwelling-place!
Before the mountains heav'd their headsBeneath Thy forming hand,Before this ponderous globe itself,Arose at Thy command;
That pow'r which rais'd and still upholdsThis universal frame,From countless, unbeginning timeWas ever still the same.
Those mighty periods of yearsWhich seem to us so vast,Appear no more before Thy sightThat yesterday that's past.
Thou giv'st the word; Thy creature, man,Is to existence brought;Again Thou say'st, 'Ye sons of men,Return ye into nought!'
Thou layest them, with all their cares,In everlasting sleep;As with a flood thou tak'st them offWith overwhelming sweep.
They flourish like the morning flow'r,In beauty's pride array'd;But long ere night cut down it liesAll wither'd and decay'd.