Death and Heaven

Representative Text

I. Oft have I said, with inward sighs,
I find no solid good below;
Earth's fairest scenes but cheat my eyes,
Her pleasure is but painted woe.

II. Then why, my soul, so loath to leave
These seats of vanity and care?
Why do I thus to trifles cleave,
And feed on chaff, and grasp the air?

III. There is a world all fair and bright;
But clouds and darkness dwell between,
The sable veil obstructs my sight,
And hides the lovely, distant scene.

IV. Whene'er I look with frighted eyes
On death's impenetrable shade,
Alas! what gloomy horrors rise,
And all my trembling frame invade!

V. O death, frail nature's dreaded foe,
Thy frown with terror fills my heart;
How shall I bear the fatal blow,
Which must my soul and body part?

VI. 'Tis sin which arms his dreadful frown,
This only points his deadly sting;
My sins which throw this gloom around,
And all these shocking terrors bring.

VII. O could I know my sins forgiv'n,
Soon would these terrors disappear;
Then should I see a glimpse of heav'n,
And look on death without a fear.

VIII. Jesus, my Saviour, and my God,
To thee my trembling spirit flies;
Thy merits, thy attoning blood,
On this alone my soul relies.

IX. O let thy love's all-pow'rful ray
With pleasing force, divine controul,
Arise, and chase these clouds away,
And shine around my doubting soul.

X. Then shall I change the mournful strain,
And bid my thoughts and hopes arise,
Above these gloomy seats of pain,
To glorious worlds beyond the skies.

XI. With chearful heart I then shall sing,
And triumph o'er my vanquish'd foe—
O death, where is thy pointed sting?
My Saviour wards the fatal blow.

XII. O when will that illustrious day,
When will that blissful moment come,
That shall my weary soul convey
Safe to her everlasting home?

XIII. Then shall I leave these fetters here,
And upward rise to joys unknown;
And call, without an anxious fear,
The fair inheritance my own.

XIV. Adieu to all terrestrial things;
Come bear me through the starry road,
Bright Seraphs, on your soaring wings,
To see my Saviour, and my God.

Source: Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 #127

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Author: Anne Steele

Anne Steele was the daughter of Particular Baptist preacher and timber merchant William Steele. She spent her entire life in Broughton, Hampshire, near the southern coast of England, and devoted much of her time to writing. Some accounts of her life portray her as a lonely, melancholy invalid, but a revival of research in the last decade indicates that she had been more active and social than what was previously thought. She was theologically conversant with Dissenting ministers and "found herself at the centre of a literary circle that included family members from various generations, as well as local literati." She chose a life of singleness to focus on her craft. Before Christmas in 1742, she declined a marriage proposal from contemporar… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Oft have I said, with inward sighs
Title:	Death and Heaven
Author:	Anne Steele (1760)
Language:	English
Publication Date:	1760
Copyright:	This text is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before 1929.