Page:Thalaba the Destroyer 1809 Vol 1 - Southey.djvu/50

I. 32

“And bends its whispering leaves
“As though to welcome me,
“Seems to partake of life;
“I love it as my friend, my only friend!

“I know not for what ages I have dragg’d
“This miserable life;
“How often I have seen
“These antient trees renew’d,
“What countless generations of mankind
“Have risen and fallen asleep,
“And I remain the same!
“My garment hath not waxed old,
“Nor the sole of my shoe hath worn.

“I dare not breathe the prayer to die,
“O merciful Lord God!..
“But when it is thy will,
“But when I have aton’d
“For mine iniquities,
“And sufferings have made pure
“My soul with sin defil’d,
“Release me in thine own good time,..
“I will not cease to praise thee, O my God!”