Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
VII. Death: Immortality: HeavenThe Resignation
Thomas Chatterton (17527#150;1770)O G
Whose eye this atom globe surveys,
To thee, my only rock, I fly,
Thy mercy in thy justice praise.
The shadows of celestial light,
Are past the power of human skill;
But what the Eternal acts is right.
When anguish swells the dewy tear,
To still my sorrows, own my power,
Thy goodness love, thy justice fear.
Encroaching sought a boundless sway,
Omniscience could the danger see,
And Mercy look the cause away.
Why drooping seek the dark recess?
Shake off the melancholy chain,
For God created all to bless.
The rising sigh, the falling tear,
My languid vitals’ feeble rill,
The sickness of my soul declare.
I ’ll thank the inflicter of the blow;
Forbid the sigh, compose my mind,
Nor let the gush of misery flow.
Which on my sinking spirit steals,
Will vanish at the morning light,
Which God, my east, my sun, reveals.