Thomas Traherne (1637-1674)
A Serious and Pathetical Contemplation of the Mercies of God
For all the mysteries, engines, instruments, wherewith the world is filled, which we are able to frame and use to thy glory.
For all the trades, variety of operations, cities, temples, streets, bridges, mariner's compass, admirable picture, sculpture, writing, printing, songs and music; wherewith the world is beautified and adorned.
1 Much more for the regent life,
2 And power of perception,
3 Which rules within.
4 That secret depth of fathomless consideration
5 That receives the information
7 That makes our centre equal to the heavens,
8 And comprehendeth in itself the magnitude of the world;
9 The involv'd mysteries
10 Of our common sense;
11 The inaccessible secret
12 Of perceptive fancy;
13 The repository and treasury
14 Of things that are past;
15 The presentation of things to come;
16 Thy name be glorified
....
18 O miracle
19 Of divine goodness!
20 O fire! O flame of zeal, and love, and joy!
21 Ev'n for our earthly bodies, hast thou created all things.
22 { visible
23 All things { material
24 { sensible
25 Animals,
26 Vegetables,
27 Minerals,
28 Bodies celestial,
29 Bodies terrestrial,
30 The four elements,
31 Volatile spirits,
32 Trees, herbs, and flowers,
33 The influences of heaven,
34 Clouds, vapors, wind,
35 Dew, rain, hail and snow,
36 Light and darkness, night and day,
37 The seasons of the year.
38Springs, rivers, fountains, oceans,
39 Gold, silver, and precious stones.
40 Corn, wine, and oil,
41 The sun, moon, and stars,
42 Cities, nations, kingdoms.
43And the bodies of men, the greatest treasures of all,
44 For each other.
45What then, O Lord, hast thou intended for our
46Souls, who givest to our bodies such glorious things!
Notes
1] Pathetical: vehement, full of passion.
6] regent: ruling, governing.
15] common sense: senses that are common to man.
17] perceptive fancy: imagination.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Thomas Traherne, A Serious and Pathetical Contemplation of the Mercies of God, in Several Most Devout and Sublime Thanksgivings for the Same (1699).
First publication date:
1699
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 3RP 1.377-78.
Recent editing: 2:2002/5/8
Rhyme: unrhymed
Other poems by Thomas Traherne
