Lays for the sabbath : a collection of religious poetry / compiled by Emily Taylor ; revised, with additions, by John Pierpont [electronic text]

THE SILENT EXPRESSION OF NATURE.

"There is no speech nor language — their voice is not heard."

PSALM xix. 3.

WHEN, thoughtful, to the vault of heaven I lift my wondering eyes, And see the clear and quiet even To night resign the skies, — The moon, in silence, rear her crest, The stars, in silence, shine, — A secret rapture fills my breast, That speaks its birth divine.

Unheard, the dews around me fall, And heavenly influence shed, And, silent on this earthly ball, Celestial footsteps tread. Aerial music wakes the spheres,Touch'd by harmonious powers:

With sounds unheard by mortal ears, They charm the lingering hours.

Night reigns, in silence, o'er the pole, And spreads her gems unheard; Her lessons penetrate the soul, Yet borrow not a word. Noiseless the sun emits his fire, And pours his golden streams; And silently the shades retire Before his rising beams.

The hand that moves, and regulates, And guides the vast machine, —That governs wills, and times, and fates, Retires, and works unseen. Angelic visitants forsake Their amaranthine bowers; On silent wing their station take, And watch the allotted hours.

Sick of the vanity of man, —His noise, and pomp, and show, — I'll move upon great Nature's plan, And, silent, work below.With inward harmony of soul, I'll wait the upper sphere; Shining, I'll mount above the pole, And break my silence there.