XXXVI. THE SEA. A Song for The Anniversary Meeting of The Directors and Governors of the Sea-bathing Infirmary at Margate. TUNE: The Anacreontic. 1 THE Sca, as its waves after waves loudly roll, And its tides or recede from or gain on the shore, With awe and devotion exalts the full soul, And the Maker's loud praises extols in its roar. This made the "sweet Psalmist" enraptur'd exclaim, O these are thy works, great and manifold, Lord! Earth and ocean alike boundless wisdom proclaim,― Be thy wisdom and goodness by all breath ador'd.* * Psalm civ. 24-26. 2 The sea doth in commerce realms far distant join, Uniting as friends whom it seems to divide, In fellowship brings both the poles and the line, As swift o'er its billows rich merchantmen ride. Within its own bosom vast treasures it bears, Each creature that creeps or disports on the fin, In herring-shoals myriads each season it rears, And the whale "who delights to take pastime therein." 3 These are but in part what the Parent of Good Hath show'r'd down of mercies benignantly free, A constant BETHESDA still flows the salt flood, And health, strength and spirits we gain from the sea. Here, bathing, the bow'd may soon, brac'd, walk upright, The blood, now contaminate', wash and be clean, The dim may recover the blessing of sight, And the unnery'd by palsy in vigour be seen. 4 But, alas! how shall those who droop thus far in land, Whom poverty more than their sickness bows down?— Poor wretches! no means can their stations command, They languish unpitied, they sorrow unknown. Taught by Him, who made sea, and all men of one race, A BETHESDA, a house of reception, we raise; Humanity's friends! the blest object em brace, Bestow here your wealth to your Maker's high praise. 5 O ye, who for health here approach the wide sea, And ye, to these shores who for pleasure repair, Wide open your hands with hearts grateful and free, Give the lame and afflicted your blessings to share. Then, if on the bed of affliction you lie, He, who comfort in sickness alone can bestow, Will grant you his aid when for mercy you DREARY Winter o'er the plain Frosty mists and drizzling rain Chill the air and mask the sun. 2 Music leaves the drooping grove— Arbours, late the haunts of love, Psalm xli. 1-3. 3 Cheerful round the social hearth, Where the well-trimm'd embers glow, Passing time with tales of mirth, Sit the Cot's promiscuous row. 4 Deep and dirty is the road, Difficult to man and steed : Round the opulent abode Crowd the shivering Sons of Need. 5 Deal your alms now to the poor, 6 But if you the poor shall spurn Can ye hope, beyond life's bourn Mercy's promis'd meed of bliss ? |