How tedious and tasteless the hours, <br />When Jesus no longer I see; <br />Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flow'rs, <br />Have lost all their sweetness with me: <br />The mid-summer sun shines but dim, <br />The fields strive in vain to look gay; <br />But when I am happy in Him, <br />December's as pleasant as May. <br /> <br />His name yields the richest perfume, <br />And sweeter than music his voice; <br />His presence disperses my gloom, <br />And makes all within me rejoice: <br />I should, were he always thus nigh, <br />Have nothing to wish or to fear; <br />No mortal so happy as I, <br />My summer would last all the year. <br /> <br />Content with beholding his face, <br />My all to his pleasure resigned; <br />No changes of season or place, <br />Would make any change in my mind: <br />While blessed with a sense of his love, <br />A palace a toy would appear; <br />And prisons would palaces prove, <br />If Jesus would dwell with me there. <br /> <br />Dear Lord, if indeed I am thine, <br />If thou art my sun and my song; <br />Say, why do I languish and pine, <br />And why are my winters so long? <br />O drive these dark clouds from my sky, <br />Thy soul-cheering presence restore; <br />Or take me unto thee on high, <br />Where winter and clouds are no more.<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/none-upon-earth-i-desire-besides-thee/
