Happy those early days, when I Shined in my angel-infancy; Before I understood this place Appointed for my second race, Or taught my soul to fancy ought But a white, celestial thought; When yet I had not walked above A mile or two from my first love, And looking back-at that short space- Could see a glimpse of His bright face; 10 When on some gilded cloud or flower My gazing soul would dwell an hour, And in those weaker glories spy Some shadows of eternity;
Before I taught my tongue to wound My conscience with a sinful sound, Or had the black art to dispense, A several sin to every sense, But felt through all this fleshly dress Bright shoots of everlastingness.
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O fountains! when in you shall I
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Within, Love's foes, his greatest foes, Myself, eased of unpeaceful thoughts,