Innocence

Summary

1

But that which most I wonder at, which most

I did esteem my Bliss, which most I Boast,

And ever shall Enjoy, is that within

I felt no Stain, nor Spot of Sin.

No Darkness then did overshade,

But all within was Pure and Bright,

No Guilt did Crush, nor fear invade

But all my Soul was full of Light.

A Joyfull Sence and Puritie

Is all I can remember.

The very Night to me was Bright,

Twas Summer in December.

2

A Serious Meditation did employ

My Soul within, which taken up with Joy

Did seem no Outward thing to note, but flie

All Objects that do feed the Eye.

While it those very Objects did

Admire, and prize, and prais, and love,

Which in their Glory most are hid,

Which Presence only doth remove.

Their Constant Daily Presence I

Rejoycing at, did see,

And that which takes them from the Ey

Of others, offerd them to me.

3

No inward Inclination did I feel

To Avarice or Pride: My Soul did kneel

In Admiration all the Day. No Lust, nor Strife,

Polluted then my Infant Life.

No Fraud nor Anger in me movd

No Malice Jealousie or Spite;

All that I saw I truly lovd.

Contentment only and Delight

Were in my Soul. O Heav'n! what Bliss

Did I enjoy and feel!

What Powerfull Delight did this

Inspire! for this I daily Kneel.

4

Whether it be that Nature is so pure,

And Custom only vicious; or that sure

God did by Miracle the Guilt remov,

And make my Soul to feel his Lov,

So Early: Or that 'twas one Day,

Wher in this Happiness I found;

Whose Strength and Brightness so do Ray,

That still it seemeth to Surround.

What ere it is, it is a Light

So Endless unto me

That I a World of true Delight

Did then and to this Day do see.