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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


OLNEY HYMNS: 54. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR GOD by WILLIAM COWPER

Poet Analysis

First Line: I THIRST, BUT NOT AS ONCE I DID
Last Line: OR YIELDS HIM MEANER FRUIT THAN I.

I THIRST, but not as once I did,
The vain delights of earth to share;
Thy wounds, Emmanuel, all forbid
That I should seek my pleasures there.

It was the sight of thy dear cross
First weaned my soul from earthly things;
And taught me to esteem as dross
The mirth of fools and pomp of kings.

I want that grace that springs from thee,
That quickens all things where it flows,
And makes a wretched thorn like me
Bloom as the myrtle, or the rose.

Dear fountain of delight unknown!
No longer sink below the brim;
But overflow, and pour me down
A living and life-giving stream;

For sure of all the plants that share
The notice of thy Father's eye,
None proves less grateful to his care,
Or yields him meaner fruit than I.



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