WHEREFORE hath my spirit leave Ah, wings that droop! Ah, strains that die!

To come so near my God,

And yet so soon must gaze and grieve
O'er the abandoned road?

2.

I feel my God almost possessed,
The heavenly land half won,
The blissful greeting of the blest,

The eternal song, begun.

5.

Ah, light that fades away!

Ah, fleeting people of the sky!

Ah, heaven, that will not stay!

4.

What glory in thy presence, Lord!
What sweetness in thy smile!
Thine awful voice, how quickly heard!
Ah! wherefore but a while?

Lord, help this earnest, helpless will;
Lay thine own hand on me :
Shall I not climb thy holy hill?

Shall I not dwell with thee?

THOMAS HORNBLOWER GILL, 1819