The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-12-25
SELECTED POETRY.
We extract the following from the Alexandria Herald
From tte Russian cf Dersaavin


we extract the following from the Alexandra Heral
From tie Russian Gf DsrsaaVir.
Thou Eternal One whose presence bright
All space doth occupy, all motion guide
Cnchangd through Times all-devastating fight:
Thou onl y God There is no God beside
Being above all beings Mighty One
Nhome none can comprehend and none explore
~ no tHsf existence iCih 1hySslf alone
Embracing all-supporting ruling DER
Being rohom zoe call GOD-and kro1o no more
In its sublime research, philosophy
May measure out the ocean deep-may count
| 4 Inc sands on the suns rays-but God for thee
There IS no weight nor measure none noun
| Up to thy mysteries. Reasons brightest spark
Though kindlodby thy light, in vain would try
| To trace Thy counsels, infinite and dark:
| find thought as lost ere thought can soar so high
! Even like past moments in eternity.
Thou from prineval nothingness ddst call
FIRST chaos, then existence Lord on thee
Il ter7ity had lis Foundation all
Sprung forth from Thee of light 10Y, harmony,
Sole origin all life, all beauty, thine
Thy word created all, and doth create
Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine
Thou art, and vert and shalt be glorious great
Llie-givlng, DEMONSTRATING potcntate
Thy chains the unmeasured uniuerse surround
Upheld by Thee, by Thee inspired with breath
lhou the beginning with the end hast bound
lind beautifully mingled life and death
AS sparks mount upwards from the fiery blaze
80 suns are born, worlds spring forth from Thee
And as the spangcs in the sunny rays
SHINE round the silver snow, the pageantrv
vi EeaFens bright army gttters in thy praise.
a million torches lighted by Thy hand
- wander unwearied through the blue abyss
They own Thy power. accomplish Thy command.
AZ gay with life, all eloquent with bliss.
What shall we call them' Piles of chrystal light
glorious company of golden streams
lamps OF celestial ether burning bright
suns lighting systems with their Joyous beams
hAE 4hou TO these ait as the noon TO night
Yes as a drop Of water in the sea.
AL this magnifcence in Thee is lost
VI hat are ten thousand worlds compared 10 Thee
ana what am then Heavens unnumber'd host
Though multiplied by nyriads, and arrayed
In all the glory Of sublimest thought
Is but an atom in the balance weighed
Against Thy greatness, is cypher brought
Against lnflnlty What am l. then ?-Nought:
Nought But the efluence of Thy 1iobt divine
Pervading worlds, hath reach'd my bosom TOO.
Yes IN my spirit doth thy spirit sfins,
us shlneS the san beam IN drop of dstr
Nought but live, and on hopes pinions fy
lager towards Thy presence: for in Thee
hVe, ana breathe, and dwell; aspiring high
Even TO the throne Of thy divinity
GH' U GOD and surely THpU.NUST BE !
Thou art directing, guiding all, Thou art.
Direct my understanding then 10 Thee;
Control my spirit, guide my wandering heart: M
Though but an atom midst immenstv
STU am something, fashioned by thy hand
hold a middle rank twixt heaven and earth
On the last verge of mortal being stand,
Close 10 the realms where angels have their birth
Just on the 6o1s1daTies Of the spirit land
The chain Of being is complete in me
In me Is matters last gTadation lost
Ana the next step is sprit-Deity
can command the lightning and am dust,
a monarch, and slave worm, a God
Whence came here. and how SO marvelouslv
Constructed and conceived unknown This clod
L1ves surely through some higher encrcq;
Tor from himself alone il could not be.
Creator, yes Thy wisdom and thy word
Created NE! Thou source oflife and good
Thou spirit ofmy spirit, and my Lord
my light, thy love, in their bright plent;tude
FILLED me with an immortal SOUL 10 spring
Over the abyss OF death, and hade it wear
1he garments Of eternal day. and wing
Its heavenly fight beyond this little sphere,
Even TO Its souTce-to Thee-its Author there
thought inefable Oh visions blest!
though worthless our conceptions all Of Thee
Iet shall thy Swallowed image fill our breast,
And watt lis homage TO thy Deity
Geo thus alone my iowly thoughts can soar:
nus seek thy presence-Beig wise and good
I'iidst thy vast works, admire, obey, adore
AND when the tongue is eloquent no more
The soal shall speak an tears of gratitude