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Thomas Traherne - Innocence
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But that which most I wonder at, which most
    I did esteem my bliss, which most I boast,
    And ever shall enjoy, is that within
      I felt no stain, nor spot of sin.

       No darkness then did overshade,
      But all within was pure and bright,
      No guilt did crush, nor fear invade
      But all my soul was full of light.

       A joyful sense and purity
     Is all I can remember;
     The very night to me was bright,
     `Twas summer in December.

    A serious meditation did employ
   My soul within, which taken up with joy
   Did seem no outward thing to note, but fly
     All objects that do feed the eye.

      While it those very objects did
     Admire, and prize, and praise, and love,
     Which in their glory most are hid,
     Which presence only doth remove.

      Their constant daily presence I
      Rejoicing at, did see;
     And that which takes them from the eye
     Of others, offer`d them to me.

    No inward inclination did I feel
   To avarice or pride: my soul did kneel
   In admiration all the day. No lust, nor strife,
     Polluted then my infant life.

      No fraud nor anger in me mov`d,
     No malice, jealousy, or spite;
     All that I saw I truly lov`d.
     Contentment only and delight

      Were in my soul. O Heav`n! what bliss
      Did I enjoy and feel!
     What powerful delight did this
     Inspire! for this I daily kneel.

    Whether it be that nature is so pure,
   And custom only vicious; or that sure
   God did by miracle the guilt remove,
     And make my soul to feel his love

      So early: or that `twas one day,
     Wherein this happiness I found;
     Whose strength and brightness so do ray,
     That still it seems me to surround;

      What ere it is, it is a light
      So endless unto me
     That I a world of true delight
     Did then and to this day do see.

    That prospect was the gate of Heav`n, that day
   The ancient light of Eden did convey
   Into my soul: I was an Adam there
   A little Adam in a sphere

    Of joys! O there my ravish`d sense
   Was entertain`d in Paradise,
   And had a sight of innocence
   Which was beyond all bound and price.

    An antepast of Heaven sure!
     I on the earth did reign;
   Within, without me, all was pure;
   I must become a child again.
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