Where'er my flattering passions rove,
I find a lurking snare;
'Tis dangerous to let loose our love
Beneath the Eternal Fair.
Souls whom the tie of friendship binds,
And partners of our blood,
Seize a large portion of our minds,
And leave the less for GOD.
Nature has soft but powerful bands,
And Reason she controls;
While children with their little hands
Hang closest to our souls.
Thoughtless they act the old Serpent's part;
What tempting things they be!
LORD, how they twine about our heart,
And draw it off from Thee!
Dear Sovereign, break these fetters off,
And set our spirits free;
GOD in Himself is bliss enough;
For we have all in Thee.