(seq. 5)

1

Introduction

Amidst the wild career, incepant whirl

Of giddy fancy, hovering round my soul

Or warm imagination blazing high

With tow'ring folly aiming to discry

The road that leads to seats of higher bliss

Celestial mansions deckd with joy & peace

I would begin to paint the flowry road

That leads from nature up to natures God

And paint the steps the Christian's feet should tread

Or warm the heart & fill with light the head

Tis nature gives the hint to grovling man

Tis reason aids him in the important plan

Made rational his soul abhors the stain

That in reflection gives his senses pain

To act beneath the rational within

To horror & the conscious stain obscene

Nor can that dread obscenity depart

And leave untouchd the tender feeling heart

But conscious of the wound that broke its peace

It instant feels the tortures of distress

With accusations fraught with crimson shame