A Birth- Day Hymn for a Child. 253 



For better things, and while of these possest. 



Feels yet an aching void within the breast. 



What then remains to try ? or how explore 



The track that guides us to the wish'd-for shore ? 



Sec ye not then how still th' unwearied mind 



Vainly by gross corporeal chains confin'd. 



Pants, amidst all she knows, for knowledge new. 



And holds her onward course, to nature true ; 



Till step by step she win the arduous height. 



And truth's eternal form shall bless her longing sight. 



From all the fleeting joys of sense she turns. 



For joys more worthy of herself she burns, 



Joys that shall like her own celestial frame 



Last through all time unfadingly the same. 



Look boldly forward then. There is an end 



To which these earnest aspirations tend. 



Nought is in vain in all th' Almighty's plan. 



Nor has he vainly given these powers to man. 



Think not the narrow span by fate assign'd 



To waste the body can consume the mind. 



She when this earthly dross is purg'd away, 



Shall flourish without spot, without decay. 



From bondage freed, shall wing her glorious flight 



Back to her native i-ealms of heaven and light. 



Feed her fine essence with ambrosial dew. 



And from Truth's sacred springs quaff streams for ever new. 



A BIRTH-DAY HYMN FOR A CHILD. 



.\lmighty Father, King of kings! 

 Accept the thanks an infant brings; 

 In early numbers I would praise 

 The great Supporter of my days. 



Teach me to trust that Guardian power. 

 Which leads me on from hour to hour, 

 And has with kind and tender care 

 Prescrv'd my life another year. 



Young as I am, may I be tauglit 



To give to Him each word and tliouglit ; 



And if I live, O ! may he still 



Incline my iieart to do his will. 



But if the year which now is past. 

 By his command should prove ray last. 

 Grant, gracious (lod ! tiuit I may see 

 Thy face to all eternity. 



J. C. 



