THE POETICAL WORKS OF THOMAS TRAHERNE [Illustration: Facsimile of the original MS. of one of Traherne's Poems] THE POETICAL WORKS OF THOMAS TRAHERNE 1636?-1674 FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS EDITED BY BERTRAM DOBELL _WITH A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR_ SECOND EDITION "I give you the end of a golden string, Only wind it into a ball, It will lead you in at Heaven's gate Built in Jerusalem's wall." _William Blake_ "Heaven lies about us in our infancy." _William Wordsworth_ LONDON PUBLISHED BY THE EDITOR 77 CHARING CROSS ROAD, W.C. 1906 TO G. THORN DRURY My youth was ever constant to one dream, Though hope failed oft--so hopeless did it seem-- That in the ripeness of my days I might Something achieve that should the world requite For my existence; for it was a pain To think that I should live and live in vain: And most my thoughts were turned towards the Muse, Though long she did my earnest prayers refuse, And left me darkling and despairing; then By happy chance there came within my ken A hapless poet, whom--I thank kind fate!-- It was my privilege to help instate In that proud eminence wherein he shines Now that no more on earth he sadly pines. This was a fortune such as I must ever Be thankful for--yet still 'twas my endeavour, With what, I hope, was no unworthy zeal, My life-work with some other deed to seal, And lo! when such a dream might well seem vain, Propitious fate smiled on me once again, And through the mists of time's close-woven pall A glint of light on one dim form did fall, Which, as I gazed more earnestly, became A living soul, discovered by the flame Of glowing inspiration which possessed Even now, as when he lived, the poet's breast. Did I deceive myself? Could it be true A new poetic star was in my view, And shining with a lustre bright and clear, Where, constellated in the heavenly sphere, Herbert and Vaughan, Crashaw and Milton shine With varying brightness, yet alike divine? I gazed again, but still that star burned on, And ever with a deeper radiance shone, Until I knew no Will-o'-th'-Wisp's false light, No meteor delusive mocked my sight, But 'twas indeed a fulgent planet which Henceforth shall with its beams the heavens enrich.