FAR from the world, O Lord, I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes where Satan wages still His most successful war. The calm retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree; And seem by thy sweet bounty made For those who follow thee. There, if thy Spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode, Oh! with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God! There like the nightingale she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise. Author and guardian of my life, Sweet source of light divine, And--all harmonious names in one-- My Saviour! thou art mine! What thanks I owe thee, and what love, A boundless, endless store, Shall echo through the realms above, When time shall be no more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FROM THE SHORE by CARL SANDBURG EARTH'S IMMORTALITIES: FAME by ROBERT BROWNING INSPIRATION (2) by HENRY DAVID THOREAU DECEMBER 31ST by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE BIRDS OF PASSAGE: PRELUDE by MATHILDE BLIND A VERSION OF THE OSSIAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN by GEORGE GORDON BYRON THE WINDOW JUST OVER THE STREET by ALICE CARY THE MAN; ADDRESSED TO MY ALMA MATER by SAMUEL VALENTINE COLE |