Like Jonah, on the mighty deep,
He strove to fly from God;
But fled, alas! to sin, and weep
Beneath his chast’ning rod.
A wretch upon a wretched shore,
A slave by slaves confin’d,
A doubly galling yoke he bore,
Of body and of mind.
In deep distress, and bitter woe,
Corruption’s rankling smart,
Mysterious Wisdom made him know
His own rebellious heart!
Unconscious of the future sphere
That he was form’d to fill,
With application most severe,
He sought for knowledge still!
Cut off from ev’ry human aid,
On Afric’s burning sand
The depths of science he essay’d,
And mystic Euclid scann’d;
While o’er the liquid way he mov’d,
He studied many a tome;
With Tacitus and Livy rov’d,
To scenes of ancient Rome.
Almighty grace the rebel tam’d;
And deep contrition drew
The wand’ring prodigal, reclaimed,
And form’d his heart anew!
No more on grov’ling themes confin’d,
His ardent spirits soar’d,
With ready gifts and soul refin’d,
To glorify his Lord!
