The Sea.

I

If for a time the air be calm,
Serene and smooth the sea appears,
And shows no danger to alarm
Th’inexperienced landsman’s fears;

II

But if the tempest once arise,
The faithless water swells and raves;
Its billows foaming to the skies,
Disclose a thousand threat’ning graves.

III

My untried heart thus seem’d to me
(So little of myself I knew,)
Smooth as the calm unruffled sea,
But ah! it proved as treach’rous too.

IV

The peace of which I had a taste
When Jesus first his love reveal’d,
I fondly hoped would always last
Because my foes were then conceal’d.

V

But when I felt the tempter’s power
Rouse my corruptions from their sleep,
I trembled at the stormy hour,
And saw the horrors of the deep.

VI

Now on presumption’s billows borne,
My spirit seem’d the Lord to dare;
Now, quick as thought, a sudden turn
Plunged me in gulfs of black despair.

VII

Lord, save me, or I sink, I pray’d;
He heard, and bid the tempest cease;
The angry waves his word obey’ d,
And all my fears were hush’d to peace.

VIII

The peace is his, and not my own;
My heart (no better than before)
Is still to dreadful changes prone,
Then let me never trust it more.