14 THUNDER & LIGHTNING. [Lesson XXIf. 



A solemn stillness creeps upon my soul, 

 And all its powers in deep attention die; 

 My heart forgets to beat ; my stedfast eye 



Catches the flying gleam; the distant toll, 

 Advancing gradual, swells upon my ear 

 With louder peals, more dreadful as more near. 



Awake, my soul, from thy forgetful trance ,J 



The storm calls loud, and meditation wakes; 



How at the sound pale superstition shakes, 

 Whilst all her train of frantic fears advance ! 



Children of darkness, hence ! fly far from me ! 



And dwell with guilt and infidelity ! 



But come, with look compos'd and sober pace, 

 Calm contemplation, come ! and hither lead 

 Devotion, that on earth disdains to tread ; 



Her inward flame illumes her glowing face, 

 Her upcast eye, and spreading wings, prepare * 

 Her flight for heav'n, to find her treasure there. 



She sees, enraptur'd, through the thickest gloom, 

 Celestial beauty beam, and 'midst the howl 

 Of warring winds, sweet music charms her soul; 



She sees, while rifted oaks in flames consume, 

 A FATHER GOD, that o'er the storm presides, 

 Threatens, to gave, and loves, when most he eludes. 



s. CHAPONE. 



LESSON 



