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Isaac Watts - Poems Classic Poetry Series Isaac Watts - poems - Publication Date: 2012 Publisher: Poemhunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive Isaac Watts(17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748) Isaac Watts (17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748) was an English hymnwriter, theologian and logician. A prolific and popular hymnwriter, he was recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", credited with some 650 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today, and have been translated into many languages. Born in Southampton, England, in 1674, Watts was brought up in the home of a committed religious Nonconformist — his father, also Isaac Watts, had been incarcerated twice for his controversial views. At King Edward VI School (where one of the houses is now named "Watts" in his honour), Watts learned Latin, Greek and Hebrew. From an early age, Watts displayed a propensity for rhyme. Watts, unable to go to either Oxford or Cambridge on account of his non- conformity, went to the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington in 1690, and much of his life centred around that village, which is now part of Inner London. His education led him to the pastorate of a large independent chapel in London, where he found himself in the position of helping trainee preachers, despite his poor health. Taking work as a private tutor, Watts lived with the Nonconformist Hartopp family at Fleetwood House, on Church Street in Stoke Newington, and later in the household of their immediate neighbours Sir Thomas Abney and Lady Mary. Though a Nonconformist, Sir Thomas practised occasional conformity to the Church of England, as necessitated by his being Lord Mayor of London between 1700 and 1701. Likewise, Isaac Watts held religious opinions that were more non-denominational or ecumenical than was at that time common for a Nonconformist; he had a greater interest in promoting education and scholarship than preaching for any particular ministry. On the death of Sir Thomas Abney, Watts moved permanently with his widow and her remaining unmarried daughter, Elizabeth, to Abney House in Stoke Newington, a property that Mary had inherited from her brother. He lived there from 1748 to his death. The grounds at Abney Park led down to an island heronry in the Hackney Brook, where he sought inspiration for the many books and hymns he wrote. Watts died in Stoke Newington in 1748, and was buried in Bunhill Fields, having left an extensive legacy of hymns, treatises, educational works and essays. His work was influential amongst Nonconformist independents and early religious revivalists, such as Philip Doddridge, who dedicated his best known work to Watts. On his death, Isaac Watts' papers were given to Yale University in then- colonial Connecticut. www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 1 Against Evil Company Why should I join with those in Play, In whom I've no delight, Who curse and swear, but never pray, Who call ill Names, and fight. I hate to hear a wanton Song, Their Words offend my Ears: I should not dare defile my Tongue With Language such as theirs. Away from Fools I'll turn my Eyes, Nor with the Scoffers go; I would be walking with the Wise, That wiser I may grow. From one rude Boy that's us'd to mock Ten learn the wicked Jest; One sickly Sheep infects the Flock, And poysons all the rest. Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 2 Against Idleness And Mischief How doth the little busy Bee Improve each shining Hour, And gather Honey all the day From every opening Flower! How skilfully she builds her Cell! How neat she spreads the Wax! And labours hard to store it well With the sweet Food she makes. In Works of Labour or of Skill I would be busy too: For Satan finds some Mischief still For idle Hands to do. In Books, or Work, or healthful Play Let my first Years be past, That I may give for every Day Some good Account at last. Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 3 Against Lying O 'tis a lovely thing for youth To early walk in wisdom's way; To fear a lie, to speak the truth, That we may trust to all they say! But liars we can never trust, Even when they say what is true. And he who does one fault at first And lies to hide it, makes it two. Have we not known, nor heard, nor read How God does hate deceit and wrong? How Ananias was struck dead, Caught with a lie upon his tongue? So did his wife Sapphira die, When she came in, and grew so bold As to confirm that wicked lie, Which just before her husband told. The Lord delights in them that speak The words of truth; but every liar Must have his portion in the lake That burns with brimstone and with fire. Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 4 Against Quarreling And Fighting Let dogs delight to bark and bite, For God hath made them so: Let bears and lions growl and fight, For 'tis their nature, too. But, children, you should never let Such angry passions rise: Your little hands were never made To tear each other's eyes. Let love through all your actions run, And all your words be mild: Live like the blessed Virgin's Son, That sweet and lovely child. His soul was gentle as a lamb; And as his stature grew, He grew in favor both with man, And God his Father too. Now, Lord of all, he reigns above; And from his heavenly throne He sees what children dwell in love, And marks them for his own. Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 5 Against Scoffing And Calling Names Our tongues were made to bless the Lord, And not speak ill of men: When others give a railing word, We must not rail again. Cross words and angry names require To be chastised at school; And he's in danger of hell-fire That calls his brother fool. But lips that dare be so profane To mock, and jeer, and scoff At holy things, or holy men, The Lord shall cut them off. When children, in their wanton play, Served old Elisha so, And bade the prophet go his way, "Go up, thou bald head, go!" God quickly stopped their wicked breath; And sent two raging bears, That tore them limb from limb to death, With blood, and groans, and tears. Great God! How terrible art thou To sinners e'er so young: Grant me thy grace, and teach me how To tame and rule my tongue. Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 6 Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed? Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I? Refrain At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day! Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood— While the firm mark of wrath divine, His Soul in anguish stood. Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin. Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears. But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give my self away ’Tis all that I can do. www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 7 Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 8 Cradle Hymn Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber; Holy angels guard thy bed; Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head. Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, House and home, thy friends provide; All without thy care, or payment, All thy wants are well supplied. How much better thou'rt attended Than the Son of God could be, When from heaven He descended, And became a child like thee! Soft and easy is thy cradle; Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, When His birthplace was a stable, And His softest bed was hay. See the kindly shepherds round him, Telling wonders from the sky! When they sought Him, there they found Him, With his Virgin-Mother by. See the lovely babe a-dressing; Lovely infant, how He smiled! When He wept, the mother's blessing Soothed and hushed the holy child. Lo, He slumbers in His manger, Where the honest oxen fed; --Peace, my darling! here's no danger! Here's no ox a-near thy bed! Mayst thou live to know and fear Him, Trust and love Him all thy days; Then go dwell forever near Him, See His face, and sing His praise! www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 9 I could give thee thousand kisses, Hoping what I most desire; Not a mother's fondest wishes Can to greater joys aspire. Isaac Watts www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 10 Examples Of Early Piety What blest examples do I find Writ in the Word of Truth Of children that began to mind Religion in their youth! Jesus, who reigns above the sky, And keeps the world in awe, Was once a child as young as I, And kept His Father's law.
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