Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey, by Thomas Cole
Oh, how I long to be at rest / And soar on high among the blest.
As weary pilgrim, now at rest,
Hugs with delight his silent nest,
His wasted limbs now lie full soft
That mirymuddy; swampy steps have trodden oftoften,
Blesses himself to think upon
His dangers past and travailspainful or difficult work done.
The burning sun no more shall heat,
Nor stormy rains on him shall beat.
The briarsprickly plants and thorns no more shall scratch,
Nor hungry wolves at him shall catch.
He erring paths no more shall tread,
Nor wild fruits eat instead of bread.
For waters cold he doth not long does not wish for
For thirst no more shall parch his tongue.
No rugged stones his feet shall gallto irritate,
Nor stumps nor rocks cause him to fall.
All cares and fears he bids farewell
And means in safety now to dwell.
A pilgrim I, on earth perplexed
With sins, with cares and sorrows vextvexed; annoyed,
By age and pains brought to decay,
And my clay house mold'ring rotting away.
Oh, how I long to be at rest
And soar on high among the blest.
This body shall in silence sleep,
Mine eyes no more shall ever weep,
No fainting fits shall me assailto attack or assault physically or verbally,
Nor grinding pains my body frail,
With cares and fears ne'er cumb'redencumbered; burdened be
Nor losses know, nor sorrows see.
What though my flesh shall there consume,
It is the bed Christ did perfumeto give a pleasant fragrance to something,
And when a few years shall be gone,
This mortal shall be clothed upon.
A corrupt carcass down it lays,
A glorious body it shall rise.a reference to the Biblical story of Jesus rising from the dead
In weakness and dishonour sown,
In power 'tisit is; refers to the "glorious body" in the previous line raised by Christ alone.
Then soul and body shall unite
And of their Maker have the sight.
Such lasting joys shall there behold
As ear ne'er heard nor tongue e'er told.
Lord make me ready for that day,
Then come, dear Bridegroom,a reference to Jesus, who is called the Bridegroom of the church come away.