Sonnet: On receiving a Letter informing me of the Birth of a Son

When they did greet me father, sudden awe

       &nbspWeigh'd down my spirit: I retired and knelt

       &nbspSeeking the throne of grace, but inly felt

No heavenly visitation upwards draw

My feeble mind, nor cheering ray impart.

       &nbspAh me! before the Eternal Sire I brought

       &nbspTh' unquiet silence of confuséd thought

And shapeless feelings: my o'erwhelméd heart

Trembled, and vacant tears stream'd down my face.

And now once more, O Lord! to thee I bend,

       &nbspLover of souls! and groan for future grace,

That ere my babe youth's perilous maze have trod,

       &nbspThy overshadowing Spirit may descend,

       &nbspAnd he be born again, a child of God.