Innocence

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 joyful sense and purity

    Is all I can remember;

    The very night to me was bright,

    'Twas summer in December.

   A serious meditation did employ

  My soul within, which taken up with joy

  Did seem no outward thing to note, but fly

    All objects that do feed the eye.

     While it those very objects did

    Admire, and prize, and praise, and love,

    Which in their glory most are hid,

    Which presence only doth remove.

     Their constant daily presence I

     Rejoicing at, did see;

    And that which takes them from the eye

    Of others, offer'd them to me.

   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 mov'd,

    No malice, jealousy, or spite;

    All that I saw I truly lov'd.

    Contentment only and delight

     Were in my soul. O Heav'n! what bliss

     Did I enjoy and feel!

    What powerful delight did this

    Inspire! for this I daily kneel.

   Whether it be that nature is so pure,

  And custom only vicious; or that sure

  God did by miracle the guilt remove,

    And make my soul to feel his love

     So early: or that 'twas one day,

    Wherein this happiness I found;

    Whose strength and brightness so do ray,

    That still it seems me 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.

   That prospect was the gate of Heav'n, that day

  The ancient light of Eden did convey

  Into my soul: I was an Adam there

  A little Adam in a sphere

   Of joys! O there my ravish'd sense

  Was entertain'd in Paradise,

  And had a sight of innocence

  Which was beyond all bound and price.

   An antepast of Heaven sure!

    I on the earth did reign;

  Within, without me, all was pure;

  I must become a child again.