HENRY VAUGHAN

362. The Retreat

TLJAPPY those early days, when I -* -* Shin'd in my Angel-infancy ! Before I understood this place Appointed for my second race, Or taught my soul to fancy aught But a white celestial thought : When yet I had not walk'd above A mile or two from my first Love, And looking back at that short space Could see a glimpse of His bright face : When on some gilded cloud, or flow'r, My gazing soul would dwell an hour, And in those weaker glories spy Some shadows of eternity : Before I taught my tongue to wound My Conscience with a sinful sound, Or had the black art to dispense A several sin to ev'ry sense, But felt through all this fleshly dress Bright shoots of everlastingness.

O how I long to travel back, And tread again that ancient track ! That I might once more reach that plain Where first I left my glorious train; From whence th' enlightned spirit sees That shady City of Palm-trees. But ah ! my soul with too much stay Is drunk, and staggers in the way !

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