Analysis of The Testimony Of Divine Adoption

William Cowper 1731 (Berkhamsted) – 1800 (Dereham)



How happy are the new–born race,
Partakers of adopting grace!
How pure the bliss they share!
Hid from the world and all its eyes,
Within their heart the blessing lies,
And conscience feels it there.

The moment we believe, 'tis ours;
And if we love with all our powers
The God from whom it came;
And if we serve with hearts sincere,
'Tis still discernible and clear,
An undisputed claim.

But, ah! if foul and wilful sin
Stain and dishonour us within,
Farewell the joy we knew;
Again the slaves of nature's sway,
In labyrinths of our own we stray,
Without a guide or clue.

The chaste and pure, who fear to grieve
The gracious Spirit they receive,
His work distinctly trace;
And, strong in undissembling love,
Boldly assert and clearly prove
Their hearts his dwelling–place.

Oh, messenger of dear delight,
Whose voice dispels the deepest night,
Sweet peace–proclaiming Dove!
With thee at hand, to soothe our pains,
No wish unsatisfied remains,
No task but that of love.

'Tis love unites what sin divides;
The centre, where all bliss resides;
To which the soul once brought,
Reclining on the first great cause,
From his abounding sweetness draws
Peace passing human thought.

Sorrow forgoes its nature there,
And life assumes a tranquil air,
Divested of its woes;
There sovereign goodness soothes the breast,
Till then incapable of rest,
In sacred sure repose.


Scheme AABCCB DDEFFE GGHIIH JJAKXA LLKMMK NNOXXO BBPQQP
Poetic Form
Metre 11010111 110101 110111 11010111 01110101 010111 010101110 0111111010 011111 01111101 11010001 10101 1111011 101101 10111 01011101 01110111 010111 01011111 01010101 110101 01011 10010101 111101 11001101 11010101 110101 111111101 1101001 111111 11011101 01011101 110111 01010111 11010101 110101 10011101 01010101 010111 11010101 11010011 010101
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,328
Words 233
Sentences 12
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6
Lines Amount 42
Letters per line (avg) 26
Words per line (avg) 6
Letters per stanza (avg) 153
Words per stanza (avg) 33
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:10 min read
87

William Cowper

William Macquarie Cowper was an Australian Anglican archdeacon and Dean of Sydney. more…

All William Cowper poems | William Cowper Books

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