FEINBERG/WHITMAN
Box 42 Folder 53

NOTES and NOTEBOOKS

NOTES--Reference

UNDATED

Joseph Addison, "Ode
to Deity"
(DCN142)

[*847*]

WHITMAN'S COPY OF JOSEPH ADDISON'S HYMN III.
A.MS. (1p. 18½ x 10 cm.)

One page of a book containing Joseph Addison's Hymns, the first four lines
(from the previous page) pasted to the top, the last four lines in Whitman's
autograph. The Hymn titled in blue pencil by Whitman: "Addison's Ode to
Deity."
{142}

[*Addison's Ode to Deity*]
How are they servants bless'd, oh Lord!
How sure is their defence!
Eternal wisdom is their guide,
Their help Omnipotence.

In foreign realms, and lands remote,
Supported by thy care,
Through burning climes I pass'd unhurt,
And breathed in tainted air.

Thy mercy sweeten'd every soil,
Made every region please;
The hoary Alpine hills it warm'd,
And smooth'd the Tyrrhene seas.

Think, oh my soul, devoutly think,
How, with affrighted eyes,
Thou saw'st the wide-extended deep
In all its horrors rise.

Confusion dwelt on every face,
And fear in every heart;
When waves on waves, and gulfs on gulfs,
O'ercame the pilot's art.

Yet then from all my griefs, oh lord!
Thy mercy set me free;
Whilst in the confidence of prayer
My soul took hold on thee.

For though in dreadful whirls we hung
High on the broken wave;
I knew thou wert not slow to hear,
Nor impotent to save.

The storm was laid, the winds retired,
Obedient to thy will;
The sea, that roar'd at thy command,
At thy command was still.

In midst of dangers, fears, and death,
Thy goodness I'll adore;
And praise thee for thy mercies pass'd,
And humbly hope for more.

[*My life, if thou preserv'st my life,
Thy sacrifice shall be,
And death, if death must be my doom,
Shall join my soul to thee.*]

Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.