Innocence
Innocence
Original Text
Thomas Traherne, Poetical Works, ed. Bertram Dobell (London: published by the editor, 1903). PR 3736 T71903 Victoria College Library
1But that which most I wonder at, which most
2I did esteem my bliss, which most I boast,
3And ever shall enjoy, is that within
4I felt no stain, nor spot of sin.
5No darkness then did overshade,
6 But all within was pure and bright,
7No guilt did crush, nor fear invade
8 But all my soul was full of light.
9A joyful sense and purity
10 Is all I can remember;
11 The very night to me was bright,
12 'Twas summer in December.
13A serious meditation did employ
14My soul within, which taken up with joy
15Did seem no outward thing to note, but fly
16All objects that do feed the eye.
17While it those very objects did
18 Admire, and prize, and praise, and love,
19Which in their glory most are hid,
20 Which presence only doth remove.
21 Their constant daily presence I
22Rejoicing at, did see;
23 And that which takes them from the eye
24Of others, offer'd them to me.
25No inward inclination did I feel
26To avarice or pride: my soul did kneel
27In admiration all the day. No lust, nor strife,
28Polluted then my infant life.
29No fraud nor anger in me mov'd,
30 No malice, jealousy, or spite;
31All that I saw I truly lov'd.
32 Contentment only and delight
33 Were in my soul. O Heav'n! what bliss
34Did I enjoy and feel!
35 What powerful delight did this
36Inspire! for this I daily kneel.
37Whether it be that nature is so pure,
38And custom only vicious; or that sure
39God did by miracle the guilt remove,
40And make my soul to feel his love
41So early: or that 'twas one day,
42 Wherein this happiness I found;
43Whose strength and brightness so do ray,
44 That still it seems me to surround;
45What ere it is, it is a light
46 So endless unto me
47That I a world of true delight
48 Did then and to this day do see.
49That prospect was the gate of Heav'n, that day
50The ancient light of Eden did convey
51Into my soul: I was an Adam there
52A little Adam in a sphere
53Of joys! O there my ravish'd sense
54 Was entertain'd in Paradise,
55And had a sight of innocence
56 Which was beyond all bound and price.
58 I on the earth did reign;
59Within, without me, all was pure;
60 I must become a child again.
Notes
57] antepast: foretaste. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1903
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.475; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme