Calm contemplation! oh descend,
And make my mind serene;
Thy heavenly presence deign to lend,
And sanctify this scene,
I want to learn, I wish to know
If all is vanity below.
Say, shall ambition fire my breast
And fill my vast desires,
Can the high honors make me blest
To which my heart aspires;
For much alas! I wish to know,
If all is vanity below.
Can riches calm the troubled mind
Can they all joys impart?
Inform me Goddess, where to find
A cordial for my heart,
For greatly do I wish to know
If all is vanity below.
Oh cannot love’s most holy flame,
Eternal comforts bring;
An union chaste can know no shame
From thence true joy must spring;
Oh tell me, for I long to know
If all is vanity below.
Say shall I seek fair learning’s seat
And cultivate the muse?
Or to the silent shades retreat
And nature’s page peruse?
Vouchsafe to say, that I may know
If all is vanity below?
Does happiness with friendship dwell?
That balsam to the soul
Or does she seek the hermit’s cell
And each vain thought control,
Inform me pray, that I may know
If all is vanity below
All is not vanity below,
(The Goddess sweetly said)
You there may learn your God to know,
And conquer every dread;
I tell you this — that you may know
All is not vanity below
To heal the sick, and wipe the tear
From sorrow’s pallid cheek;
To give to those who poor appear,
The pittance that they seek;
Do this, and I will let you know
All is not vanity below
The orphans sigh, the widows moan
In pity oh attend;
And I will hear their dying groan,
And God shall be their friend;
And then be sure, that you shall know,
All was not vanity below.