Time and Eternity; or Longing After Unseen Pleasures

Verse 1

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

Verse 2

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

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

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

Verse 5

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

Verse 6

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

Verse 7

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