The Wants of Man Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” (Joh_1:38, NIV) Yesterday we pondered how we might respond to the Lord’s question, “What do you want?” I encourage you to read that post before reading this one, only as this is intended as a “closing thought” on the previous post. With that in mind, I now submit for your enrichment a delightful poetic masterpiece from John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States. The Wants of Man John Quincy Adams “MAN wants but little here below, nor wants that little long.” ‘Tis not with me exactly so; But ’tis so in the song. Wants are many and, if told, would muster many a score; were each wish a mint of gold, I still should long for more. What first I want is daily bread, and canvas-backs, and wine. All the realms of nature spread before me, when I dine. Courses scarcely can provide my appetite to quell; four choice cooks from France beside, to dress my dinner well. What next I want, at princely cost, Is elegant attire: sable furs for winter’s frost, And silks for summer’s fire, Cashmere shawls, and Brussels lace My bosom’s front to deck, —diamond rings my hands to grace, And rubies for my neck. I want (who does not want?) a wife, — Affectionate and fair; solace all the woes of life, and all its joys to share. Temper sweet, of yielding will, of firm, yet placid mind, —all my faults to love me still with sentiment refined. And as Time’s car incessant runs, And Fortune fills my store, want of daughters and of sons from eight to half a score. Want (alas! can mortal dare such bliss on earth to crave?)All the girls be chaste and fair, the boys all wise and brave. I want a warm and faithful friend, To cheer the adverse hour,ne’er to flatter will descend, Nor bend the knee to power; friend to chide me when I’m wrong, My inmost soul to see; that my friendship prove as strong For him as his for me. I want the seals of power and place, the ensigns of command; by the People’s unsought grace to rule my native land. Crown nor scepter would I ask But from my country’s will, day, by night, to ply the task her cup of bliss to fill. I want the voice of honest praise to follow me behind, to be thought in future days the friend of human-kind, after ages, as they rise, Exulting may proclaim choral union to the skies their blessings on my name. These are the Wants of mortal Man, — I cannot want them long, life itself is but a span, And earthly bliss — a song. Last great Want — absorbing all — Is, when beneath the sod, summoned to my final call, The Mercy of my God. By James Ryle
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:25:02 +0000
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