Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 ‎#25

25. Searching after Happiness

I. O happiness, thou pleasing dream,
Where is thy substance found?
Sought thro' the varying scenes in vain,
Of earth's capacious round.

II. The charms of granduer, pomp and shew,
Are nought but gilded snares;
Ambition's painful steep ascent,
Thick set with thorny cares.

III. The busy town, the crowded street,
Where noise and discord reign,
We gladly leave, and tir'd, retreat
To breathe and think again.

IV. Yet if retirement's pleasing charms
Detain the captive mind,
The soft enchantment soon dissolves;
'Tis empty all as wind.

V. Religion's sacred lamp alone,
Unerring points the way,
Where happiness for ever shines
With unpolluted ray:

VI. To regions of eternal peace,
Beyond the starry skies;
Where pure, sublime and perfect joys
In endless prospect rise.

VII. There Jesus, source of bliss divine,
Our glorious leader reigns;
He gives us strength to hold our way,
And crowns the trav'lers pains.

VIII. Dear Saviour, let thy chearing smile
My fainting soul renew;
Then shall the heav'nly Canaan yield
A sweet, tho' distant view.

IX. Be thy almighty arm my stay,
My guide thro' all the road,
'Till safe I reach my journey's end,
Mt Saviour, and my God.

Text Information

• First Line: O happiness, thou pleasing dream
• Title: Searching after Happiness
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1760

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