“The Following Lines”

Date

2-10-1812

Newspaper

The Times

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 2

Newspaper Location

Charleston, South Carolina

Serial Number

395

Abstract

Article notes a poem by Chatterton, mentions earthquakes in a vague fashion.

Transcript

THE FOLLOWING LINES Appear in a late London publication as the production of Chatterton. They have never before been published and are said to have been preserved by a lady, who copied them many years ago from the original, written in the hand of this delightful and unfortunate poet. They are said to have been composed while his mind was engaged under the conflict, under which it finally sunk. Telegraph of 1800. RESIGNATION. O GOD! Whose under shakes the sky, Whose eye this atom globe surveys, To thee, my only Rock, I fly, They mercy I thy justice praise. The mystic mazes of thy will, The shadows of celestial night, Are past the powers of human skill; But what the Eternal acts are right. O teach me in this trying hour, When anguish swells the dewy tear, To still my sorrows, own thy pow'r, Thy goodness love, thy justice fear. If in this bosom aught but thee, Incroaching, sought a boundless sway, Omniscience could the danger see, And mercy take the cause away. Then why, my soul, dost thou complain? Why, drooping, seek the dark recess? Shake off the melancholy chain, For God created all to bless. But, ah! My heart is human still; The rising sigh, the falling tear, My languid vitals feeble rill, The sickness of my soul declare. But yet, with fortitude resign'd, I'll thank th' inflictor of the blow; Forbid the sigh, compose the mind, Nor let the gush of misery flow. The gloomy mantle of the night, Which on my sinking spirit steals, With vanish at the morning light, Which God, my East, my Sun, reveals.

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