Poems (Sewell)/Innocence
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For works with similar titles, see Innocence.
INNOCENCE.
A
POEM.
INNOCENCE.A POEM.
Far from the wint'ry, wild and desart plain,
Where even the vernal shower descends in vain,
Far from the lonely, dark sequester'd dell,
Where the meek Hermit forms his pensive cell;
A scene there is, with ev'ry lux'ry grac'd,
Whose glowing beauties Winter ne'er defac'd;
There Spring eternal casts her vivid bloom,
Nor dreads the noxious mist, nor dreary gloom:
Soft is the breeze—a pure benignant light
Glows o'er the landscape round, serenely bright!
A sparkling stream, o'er golden pebbles plays,
And sportive winds its course thro' flow'ry ways:
The jocund birds, who blend their sweet employ,
And tune their artless notes to songs of joy;
Th' unfading blossoms, which their sweets exhale,
And lend their fragrance to the passing gale;—
The gentle gale, whose balmy breath inspires
Transporting tenderness and soft desires;
The lengthen'd vista, and the fragrant bower,
Form'd by the pliant boughs entwining power,
And all that charms the eye, and wins the ear,
Proclaim that Hope's fair Gardens flourish here.
Where even the vernal shower descends in vain,
Far from the lonely, dark sequester'd dell,
Where the meek Hermit forms his pensive cell;
A scene there is, with ev'ry lux'ry grac'd,
Whose glowing beauties Winter ne'er defac'd;
There Spring eternal casts her vivid bloom,
Nor dreads the noxious mist, nor dreary gloom:
Soft is the breeze—a pure benignant light
Glows o'er the landscape round, serenely bright!
A sparkling stream, o'er golden pebbles plays,
And sportive winds its course thro' flow'ry ways:
The jocund birds, who blend their sweet employ,
And tune their artless notes to songs of joy;
Th' unfading blossoms, which their sweets exhale,
And lend their fragrance to the passing gale;—
The gentle gale, whose balmy breath inspires
Transporting tenderness and soft desires;
The lengthen'd vista, and the fragrant bower,
Form'd by the pliant boughs entwining power,
And all that charms the eye, and wins the ear,
Proclaim that Hope's fair Gardens flourish here.
A youthful form, with fairer beauty grac'd,
Than ere the cunning hand of Genius trac'd,
Adorn'd this blissful spot: his azure eye
Glow'd with the lustre of the Orbs on High!
His rosy lips a dimpling smile display'd,
And his smooth brow the glossy ringlets shade;
A fragrant wreath entwin'd, of lillies fair,
With soft congenial beauty flourish'd there;
An ermine robe his graceful limbs became—
'Twas Heav'ns own gift, and Innocence his name!
Light o'er the dewy shade, the spangled lawn,
He sprang, transported, like the bounding Fawn;
And brighter where he came, the blossoms glow'd,
And sweeter fragrance bless'd this gay abode.
A sportive Lamb, its rival gambols kept,
And gently watch'd its master while he slept.
But care he knew not—heedless wou'd he run,
Nor mark'd the danger he was taught to shun;
For courteous Truth had woo'd him to her cell!
He smil'd, and lik'd the damsel passing well!
But deem'd her charms too much the matron wore,
And Syren Pleasure seem'd to charm him more.
As swift and joyous o'er the haunts he flew,
A fair and dang'rous Phantom caught his view;
Such smiles fallacious, and a form so bright,
Had ne'er with soft allurement charm'd his sight!
Thro' ev'ry shade and lawn he lightly speeds,
With eager step—but still the Fair recedes.
In vain, alas! the fatal bounds appear,
He leap'd, presumptuous, in his wild career!
The fleeting phantom stops.—In vain his flight:
It melts in air—for ever from his sight!—
Ah me! how sad—how hopeless and undone,
Is now the wretched youth, so lightly won!
Rude is the storm—with rage resistless now,
It rends the garland from his polish'd brow:
His graceful locks, in wild disorder flow,
And his heart shudders at the grasp of Woe.—
No more his feet shall press the verdant ground,
But sharp entangling thorns his path confound.
Fain would he fly, but trembling with dismay,
He views a meagre Spectre cross the way;
With raven voice it screams, and aspect stern,—
Forbear fond youth! 'tis I forbid return!—
"Know thou art mine," he cries—"my hated grasp
"Around thy heart, shall seem the pois'nous asp;
"Whoe'er, like thee, the destin'd bounds exceeds,
"Beneath my iron power, a victim bleeds!
"Thy sighs, thy tears, are now my rich repast;
"For know, 'tis Misery thou hast found at last."
Than ere the cunning hand of Genius trac'd,
Adorn'd this blissful spot: his azure eye
Glow'd with the lustre of the Orbs on High!
His rosy lips a dimpling smile display'd,
And his smooth brow the glossy ringlets shade;
A fragrant wreath entwin'd, of lillies fair,
With soft congenial beauty flourish'd there;
An ermine robe his graceful limbs became—
'Twas Heav'ns own gift, and Innocence his name!
Light o'er the dewy shade, the spangled lawn,
He sprang, transported, like the bounding Fawn;
And brighter where he came, the blossoms glow'd,
And sweeter fragrance bless'd this gay abode.
A sportive Lamb, its rival gambols kept,
And gently watch'd its master while he slept.
But care he knew not—heedless wou'd he run,
Nor mark'd the danger he was taught to shun;
For courteous Truth had woo'd him to her cell!
He smil'd, and lik'd the damsel passing well!
But deem'd her charms too much the matron wore,
And Syren Pleasure seem'd to charm him more.
As swift and joyous o'er the haunts he flew,
A fair and dang'rous Phantom caught his view;
Such smiles fallacious, and a form so bright,
Had ne'er with soft allurement charm'd his sight!
Thro' ev'ry shade and lawn he lightly speeds,
With eager step—but still the Fair recedes.
In vain, alas! the fatal bounds appear,
He leap'd, presumptuous, in his wild career!
The fleeting phantom stops.—In vain his flight:
It melts in air—for ever from his sight!—
Ah me! how sad—how hopeless and undone,
Is now the wretched youth, so lightly won!
Rude is the storm—with rage resistless now,
It rends the garland from his polish'd brow:
His graceful locks, in wild disorder flow,
And his heart shudders at the grasp of Woe.—
No more his feet shall press the verdant ground,
But sharp entangling thorns his path confound.
Fain would he fly, but trembling with dismay,
He views a meagre Spectre cross the way;
With raven voice it screams, and aspect stern,—
Forbear fond youth! 'tis I forbid return!—
"Know thou art mine," he cries—"my hated grasp
"Around thy heart, shall seem the pois'nous asp;
"Whoe'er, like thee, the destin'd bounds exceeds,
"Beneath my iron power, a victim bleeds!
"Thy sighs, thy tears, are now my rich repast;
"For know, 'tis Misery thou hast found at last."
The spectre ceas'd—then seiz'd bis trembling hand;
In vain wou'd feeble youth his power withstand!—
As some meek Lamb, who wanders from the fold,
Meets the gaunt Wolf, rapacious, fierce and bold,
With patient woe, it yields its hapless fate
To cruel Vengeance, and remorseless Hate:
So helpless Innocence his guide survey'd,
And walk'd with Misery through the doleful shade.
In vain wou'd feeble youth his power withstand!—
As some meek Lamb, who wanders from the fold,
Meets the gaunt Wolf, rapacious, fierce and bold,
With patient woe, it yields its hapless fate
To cruel Vengeance, and remorseless Hate:
So helpless Innocence his guide survey'd,
And walk'd with Misery through the doleful shade.
High on a mountain, by a neighb'ring wood,
The awful mansion of Experience stood:
A rev'rend sage he was, and full of years,
And even obdurate Time his friend appears;
For him alone, with punctual care conveys
The sov'reign cordial, which supports his days.
Stern was his brow—a keen and piercing light,
Which Truth alone cou'd bear with steady sight,
Beam'd from his eye;—and even a royal grace
Adorn'd his steady air and measur'd pace:
The gentle solace of his age was still
The fairest of his daughters, young Good-will.
Oft wou'd she tempt him to the mountain's side,
To be the wand'ring youth's propitious guide;
And now, as gloomy night involv'd the scene,
She view'd fair Innocence, and mark'd his mien;
Her awful sire, his trembling form survey'd,
But check'd, with slower step, the ardent maid.
The awful mansion of Experience stood:
A rev'rend sage he was, and full of years,
And even obdurate Time his friend appears;
For him alone, with punctual care conveys
The sov'reign cordial, which supports his days.
Stern was his brow—a keen and piercing light,
Which Truth alone cou'd bear with steady sight,
Beam'd from his eye;—and even a royal grace
Adorn'd his steady air and measur'd pace:
The gentle solace of his age was still
The fairest of his daughters, young Good-will.
Oft wou'd she tempt him to the mountain's side,
To be the wand'ring youth's propitious guide;
And now, as gloomy night involv'd the scene,
She view'd fair Innocence, and mark'd his mien;
Her awful sire, his trembling form survey'd,
But check'd, with slower step, the ardent maid.
"Approach, oh wandering youth," he gently cries,
"Oh! turn on me thy sad desponding eyes;
"This aged hand, not feeble nor subdued,
"Might lead thee o'er the rock and desarts rude.
"Though Fate's imperial law must check my zeal,
"Yet kind Instruction shall my care reveal.
"'Tis mine—from Heav'n the high commission came—
To lead thy footsteps from the paths of shame;
Tis mine to speak of dangers far and near,
"And most where Pleasure smiles, to teach thee Fear!
"So shall thy youth, her gay delusions shun,
"And safely tread where thousands are undone."
"Oh! turn on me thy sad desponding eyes;
"This aged hand, not feeble nor subdued,
"Might lead thee o'er the rock and desarts rude.
"Though Fate's imperial law must check my zeal,
"Yet kind Instruction shall my care reveal.
"'Tis mine—from Heav'n the high commission came—
To lead thy footsteps from the paths of shame;
Tis mine to speak of dangers far and near,
"And most where Pleasure smiles, to teach thee Fear!
"So shall thy youth, her gay delusions shun,
"And safely tread where thousands are undone."
Firm and sublime—his friendly words impart
A deep and solemn gladness to the heart;
The tim'rous youth, to mild submission won,
Receiv'd his counsel like a duteous son;
And much he thought, tho' now in form severe,
The genuine voice of Truth engag'd his ear.
With grateful thanks, his gen'rous heart o'erflow'd,
But doom'd he was to leave this calm abode.
The courteous sage dismiss'd his blooming guest,
And one deeep sigh his boding fears express'd.
A deep and solemn gladness to the heart;
The tim'rous youth, to mild submission won,
Receiv'd his counsel like a duteous son;
And much he thought, tho' now in form severe,
The genuine voice of Truth engag'd his ear.
With grateful thanks, his gen'rous heart o'erflow'd,
But doom'd he was to leave this calm abode.
The courteous sage dismiss'd his blooming guest,
And one deeep sigh his boding fears express'd.
Now o'er the scene, beset with lurking snares,
Spreads the wide wilderness of human cares!
Tumultuous sounds the frighten'd ear assail,
And sighs and murmurs mingle in the gale;
The stream of Sorrow rolls its silent flood,
Thro' all the winding mazes of the wood,
Till chill'd and stagnate by th' inclement air,
It freezes in the gulph of black Despair.—
A dazzling crowd, with dext'rous art convey'd
By airy phantoms, glided through the shade:
The courteous youth, by wise Experience taught,
Beheld them in the toils of Pleasure caught;
And well he knew, where flow'rets bloom'd so gay,
The pois'nous Serpent form'd his guileful way.
With gen'rous scorn, his eyes indignant roll'd,
Where meagre Avarice sunk beneath his gold!
A thoughtless train, by transient lights engross'd,
In Error's winding maze were quickly lost.—
A stately form, whose hand the sceptre bore,
(While crimson stain'd the gorgeous robe he wore)
An iron chain o'er all his captives threw,
And helpless myriads trembled at his view:
The heavy groan, the timid sigh profound,
Were hush'd, submissive, at the trumpet's sound.
—Here vile Hypocrisy, and base Deceit,
And fawning Flatt'ry and Injustice meet;
Protean Falsehood lends her mask to Pride,
And Treason grasps the poniard by his side-
With wolf-eyed Slaughter:—these their chief proclaim,
And tell the world—Ambition is his name!
Injurious Envy, spreads her snakes around—
Ah! even shou'd Innocence escape a wound,
Yet smiling Treachery shall prepare a dart,
Too sure, alas! to reach the victim's heart!—
From such a scene of guilt and dire dismay,
The virtuous youth, with horror turn'd away,
But whither shou'd he fly? for Misery too,
Ev'n like his shadow, Mis'ry shall pursue!
His alter'd cheek a pallid hue displays,
Like some fair flow'r on which the canker preys;
The tainted air affects his panting breath,
And his lip quivers "with the blast of Death."
Spreads the wide wilderness of human cares!
Tumultuous sounds the frighten'd ear assail,
And sighs and murmurs mingle in the gale;
The stream of Sorrow rolls its silent flood,
Thro' all the winding mazes of the wood,
Till chill'd and stagnate by th' inclement air,
It freezes in the gulph of black Despair.—
A dazzling crowd, with dext'rous art convey'd
By airy phantoms, glided through the shade:
The courteous youth, by wise Experience taught,
Beheld them in the toils of Pleasure caught;
And well he knew, where flow'rets bloom'd so gay,
The pois'nous Serpent form'd his guileful way.
With gen'rous scorn, his eyes indignant roll'd,
Where meagre Avarice sunk beneath his gold!
A thoughtless train, by transient lights engross'd,
In Error's winding maze were quickly lost.—
A stately form, whose hand the sceptre bore,
(While crimson stain'd the gorgeous robe he wore)
An iron chain o'er all his captives threw,
And helpless myriads trembled at his view:
The heavy groan, the timid sigh profound,
Were hush'd, submissive, at the trumpet's sound.
—Here vile Hypocrisy, and base Deceit,
And fawning Flatt'ry and Injustice meet;
Protean Falsehood lends her mask to Pride,
And Treason grasps the poniard by his side-
With wolf-eyed Slaughter:—these their chief proclaim,
And tell the world—Ambition is his name!
Injurious Envy, spreads her snakes around—
Ah! even shou'd Innocence escape a wound,
Yet smiling Treachery shall prepare a dart,
Too sure, alas! to reach the victim's heart!—
From such a scene of guilt and dire dismay,
The virtuous youth, with horror turn'd away,
But whither shou'd he fly? for Misery too,
Ev'n like his shadow, Mis'ry shall pursue!
His alter'd cheek a pallid hue displays,
Like some fair flow'r on which the canker preys;
The tainted air affects his panting breath,
And his lip quivers "with the blast of Death."
Ye bright Immortal Pow'rs! that dwell Above,
And tune your glitt'ring harps to strains of love!
Oh ye! whose warbling notes, sublime and clear,
To rapture sooth the Saint's expiring ear!
Inspire my Muse! oh! raise her drooping wing!
Damp with the dews of earth, in vain 'twou'd spring;
One heav'nly spark shall all her dross refine,
And kindle transports for a theme Divine!
For lo! a beaming light, whose ardent glow,
Might pierce the darkness of the shades below,
Bursts thro' the gloom! a pure refulgent ray,
More keen than light'ning, more serene than day;
O'er all the scene, its vivid light was cast,
And ev'ry hideous phantom shrunk aghast.
Soft in the air delicious accents stole,
And sooth'd to gentle Peace the tortur'd soul.—
And now, in glitt'ring armour bright array'd,
A Form Celestial glided through the shade!
An orient beam illum'd her beauteous face,
And deck'd her charms with more than mortal grace:
So sweetly awful—so serenely bright—
No form terrestrial ever blest the sight!
Her Sacred Charge—a bloody Cross she press'd,
With conscious ardour to her spotless breast!
A chrystal shield, of adamantine force,
From foes malignant still preserv'd her course;
Immortal Faith a flaming banner spread,
And way'd triumphant o'er her graceful head!
—Fair blooming Hope, and Patience, ever calm,
And gentle Mercy, with her healing balm,
And Gratitude, with soft, yet fervent gaze,
Who tunes her golden harp to hymns of praise;
Enchanting Meekness, with her dove-like eye,
And pure Devotion, Daughter of the Sky!
And blooming Charity, with matchless-air,
Among the fairest, still divinely fair!
A goodly train, the dazzled eyes beheld,
And each in native loveliness excell'd;
In comely order, and with graceful pride,
They wait, obedient, on their Heav'nly Guide!—
Religion!—oh 'twas she!—her lovely form
Ev'n sooth'd the Genius of the angry storm!
Disorder'd Nature hail'd her as she pass'd,
And her soft accents hush'd the northern blast!
And tune your glitt'ring harps to strains of love!
Oh ye! whose warbling notes, sublime and clear,
To rapture sooth the Saint's expiring ear!
Inspire my Muse! oh! raise her drooping wing!
Damp with the dews of earth, in vain 'twou'd spring;
One heav'nly spark shall all her dross refine,
And kindle transports for a theme Divine!
For lo! a beaming light, whose ardent glow,
Might pierce the darkness of the shades below,
Bursts thro' the gloom! a pure refulgent ray,
More keen than light'ning, more serene than day;
O'er all the scene, its vivid light was cast,
And ev'ry hideous phantom shrunk aghast.
Soft in the air delicious accents stole,
And sooth'd to gentle Peace the tortur'd soul.—
And now, in glitt'ring armour bright array'd,
A Form Celestial glided through the shade!
An orient beam illum'd her beauteous face,
And deck'd her charms with more than mortal grace:
So sweetly awful—so serenely bright—
No form terrestrial ever blest the sight!
Her Sacred Charge—a bloody Cross she press'd,
With conscious ardour to her spotless breast!
A chrystal shield, of adamantine force,
From foes malignant still preserv'd her course;
Immortal Faith a flaming banner spread,
And way'd triumphant o'er her graceful head!
—Fair blooming Hope, and Patience, ever calm,
And gentle Mercy, with her healing balm,
And Gratitude, with soft, yet fervent gaze,
Who tunes her golden harp to hymns of praise;
Enchanting Meekness, with her dove-like eye,
And pure Devotion, Daughter of the Sky!
And blooming Charity, with matchless-air,
Among the fairest, still divinely fair!
A goodly train, the dazzled eyes beheld,
And each in native loveliness excell'd;
In comely order, and with graceful pride,
They wait, obedient, on their Heav'nly Guide!—
Religion!—oh 'twas she!—her lovely form
Ev'n sooth'd the Genius of the angry storm!
Disorder'd Nature hail'd her as she pass'd,
And her soft accents hush'd the northern blast!
"Awake," she cries, "Oh Innocence! awake!
"Revive, oh wretched wanderer, for my sake!
"And mark with Meekness!—Know from Realms Above
"I come—the messenger of Joy and Love!
"Eternal Goodness fix'd my task below,
"To gild with light this Wilderness of Woe!
"To guide the trav'ller thro' perplexing ways,
"And turn his trembling feet from Error's maze;
"The ghastly Fiends of Darkness to subdue,
"And shew Celestial Glories to thy view!—
"But know! one narrow path thy choice must be—
"Dark and obscure, 'tis only known to me!
"Tho' hideous forms thy inmost soul shou'd scare,
"And all the giant crew of black Despair;
"Tho' ranc'rous Envy shall prepare her dart,
"And Slander points her vengeance at thy heart;
"This glitt'ring sword, which turns Presumption pale,
"Keen from the hand of Justice, shall prevail!—
"Tho' hungry Tygers howl, and beasts of prey,
"And pois'nous Basilisks infest thy way;
"Ev'n in the vale of Death, where Silence dwells,
"And Horror glides through all her gloomy cells!
"Oh! fear not, tim'rous youth! the task is mine,
"To guard thy weakness with an Arm Divine,
"And lead thee safely to that blissful shore,
"Where bright enfranchis'd Virtue droops no more."
"Revive, oh wretched wanderer, for my sake!
"And mark with Meekness!—Know from Realms Above
"I come—the messenger of Joy and Love!
"Eternal Goodness fix'd my task below,
"To gild with light this Wilderness of Woe!
"To guide the trav'ller thro' perplexing ways,
"And turn his trembling feet from Error's maze;
"The ghastly Fiends of Darkness to subdue,
"And shew Celestial Glories to thy view!—
"But know! one narrow path thy choice must be—
"Dark and obscure, 'tis only known to me!
"Tho' hideous forms thy inmost soul shou'd scare,
"And all the giant crew of black Despair;
"Tho' ranc'rous Envy shall prepare her dart,
"And Slander points her vengeance at thy heart;
"This glitt'ring sword, which turns Presumption pale,
"Keen from the hand of Justice, shall prevail!—
"Tho' hungry Tygers howl, and beasts of prey,
"And pois'nous Basilisks infest thy way;
"Ev'n in the vale of Death, where Silence dwells,
"And Horror glides through all her gloomy cells!
"Oh! fear not, tim'rous youth! the task is mine,
"To guard thy weakness with an Arm Divine,
"And lead thee safely to that blissful shore,
"Where bright enfranchis'd Virtue droops no more."
Thus spoke the gracious Chief—nor spoke in vain;
Her words re-echo thro' the vast domain!
Reviving Innocence, her pow'r confest,
And all the Hero glow'd within his breast!
No longer weak-he felt a potent charm
Inspire his soul, and nerve his feeble arm;
He felt a kindling energy unknown,
Which made Existence richer—more his own!
But Mis'ry trembled at a foe so bright,
And her pale form dissolv'd in endless night.
Her words re-echo thro' the vast domain!
Reviving Innocence, her pow'r confest,
And all the Hero glow'd within his breast!
No longer weak-he felt a potent charm
Inspire his soul, and nerve his feeble arm;
He felt a kindling energy unknown,
Which made Existence richer—more his own!
But Mis'ry trembled at a foe so bright,
And her pale form dissolv'd in endless night.