AN ODE. Ann Batten Cristall Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T126557 Cristall, Ann Batten. Poetical Sketches by Ann Batten Cristall. London Printed for J. Johnson, St. Paul's Church Yard 1795 pp. 183-185. [14],187,[1]p.; 8⁰.

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AN ODE . ALMIGHTY Power ! who rul'st this world of storms ! Eternal Spirit of Infinity ! Whose wisdom Nature's boundless space informs , O! look with mercy on man's misery ; Who , tost on all the elements by turns , With languor droops , or with fierce passions burns . Submissive to life's casualties I sing ; Though short our mortal day , and stor'd with pains , And strongly Nature's truths conviction bring , That no firm happiness this world contains : Yet hope , sweet hope , supports the pious breast , Whose boundless views no earthly griefs arrest . What dire disorder ravages the world ! Beasts , birds , fish , insects , war with cruel strife ! Created matter in contention whirl'd Spreads desolation as it bursts to life ! And men , who mental light from heaven enjoy , Pierce the fraternal breast , and impiously destroy . Unknown , and nothing in the scale of things , Yet would I wisdom's ways aloud rehearse , Touch'd by humanity , strike loud the strings , And pour a strain of more inspired verse ; But reason , truth , and harmony are vain , No power man's boundless passions can restrain . Stupendous Nature ! rugged , beauteous , wild ! Impress'd with awe , thy wondrous book I read : Beyond this stormy tract , some realm more mild , My spirit tells me , is for man decreed ; Where , unallay'd , bliss reigns without excess : Thus hope excentric points to happiness !