BETA

The Spell Unravelled.

Written the 6th May 1820.

“ By each one
Of the dear dreams through which I have travelled
The cup of enjoyment from none
Can I take, till the spells, one by one,
Which have withered ye all, be unravelled.
Nugæ Canoræ , p. 126.

1.

My God ! with what words can I dare,1
Without a presumptuous seeming,2
To say that, from thee, who hear’st prayer,3
Life’s prospects with blessings are teeming?4

2.

I talked of a “ spell” that had bound5
Each sense, and benumbed every feeling ;6
Though my joys in their forms might be
found,7
Which had all their fine essence been stealing.8

3.

I was widowed of love—tho’ possessing9
One whom my sad heart fondly sighed,10
By the tenderest, dearest caressing,11
To own as its mistress and bride.12

4.

I was childless—yet children were given,13
Whose innocent charms might inspire14
All that ever reminded of Heaven15
The heart of a fortunate sire :16

5.

And I said, of the manifold “ spells”17
Which withheld from my senses the taste,18
Of the exquisite transport which dwells19
With gifts which my lot in life graced.20

6.

The demoniac “ spells,” “ one by one,”21
That lay on the path which I travelled,22
“ The cup of enjoyment from none23
I take, till they all are unravelled.”24

7.

And surely I may, without fear,25
Call my Maker to witness my truth,26
That, for many a tedious year,27
While receded the visions of youth,28

8.

Never, never from hue, shape, or sound,29
From word, never smile or caress,30
This bosom an instant e’er found31
A respite from cleaving distress,32

9.

’Till the “ spell” which lay o’er my dear
ones,33
By a mighty invisible hand—34
’Till the heart’s pangs, the only severe ones35
Were snapped as a sorcerer’s wand.36

10.

I, now, in a smile that has greeted37
My eyes both in sorrow and glee—38
In a smile that has never retreated,39
Tho’ it met with no welcome from me,40

11.

Can experience the thrilling delight,41
Which it gave me in days are gone !42
Though ’twas ever the same to my sight,43
Yet it fell on a bosom of stone !44

12.

My children—they now can impart45
Not only the claims which, from duty,46
They well may enforce on my heart ;47
But in all its most exquisite beauty,48

13.

Like soft music, the fond gush is given49
To my soul, from the rapturous tie,50
Reproducing those blest days when Heaven51
’Bout our path, bed, and table, doth lie !52

14.

My wife ! and my children ! dear names,53
Which awaken my heart’s deepend love,54
As earnest such treasure proclaims55
Of “ the day-spring which comes from”
above !56

15.

When the throbs that await on the plea-
sures57
Which owe to yourselves their creation,58
Are heightened by spiritual treasures,59
They receive then their last consecra-
tion !60

16.

And I feel it—that these, the sure pledges61
Of Heaven’s love, are thus heightened and
blest !62
Whatever the sceptic alleges,63
A pure joy, a pure source must attest !64

17.

As well might one doubt the report65
Of the senses of sight, touch, and taste,66
As believe not the joys that resort67
To the soul where God’s “ secret” is
placed.68

18.

No ! a seal there is set to that feeling69
Which can be decyphered by none,70
Till a new sense, with mystic revealing,71
Informs us that seal is our own !72