| 81 TIMES AND SEASONS
"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL"
Vol. IV. No. 6.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. Feb. 1, 1843 [Whole No. 66.
ANCIENT POETRY.
The following very curious poetic composition, is at once both novel and interesting; for while the common landmarks of modern poetry are entirely disregarded; there is something so dignified and exalted conveyed in the ideas of this production, that it cannot fail to strike the attention of every superficial observer.
Uncontrolled by the narrow limits of this earth, and raised above all sublunary objects, his mind soars aloft unto other kingdoms, unravels the secrets of eternity, and contemplates the organization of worlds, in other spheres: the destiny of the living, the dying, and the dead are developed; together with the laws that govern other worlds, and the state of their inhabitants; the "heavens of heavens," open before his gaze, and the celestial kingdom; the habitation of the great "I Am," with all its resplendant [resplendent], brilliant, and dazzling glory, bursts upon his sight. The Celestial, the Terrestrial and the Telestial worlds, with all their magnifence [magnificence] and beauty are open to his view; whilst the various states of their respective inhabitants, are presented before his vision. The dark and gloomy abodes of the departed lost, are also unlocked, and their confusion, and misery developed. Our poet seems to be perfectly at home among heavenly worlds, and converses about their proceedings with as much familiarity as one could do about his domestic economy. He unlocked [unlocked] great, and important principles which were indeed made known to the ancients; but which have been hid for ages: and when we contemplate the things that are unfolded we shall be led to say with Paul, "great is the mystery of godliness."
Concerning the style of the poetry, there seems to be a native simplicity, a brilliance of thought, and an originality in the composition, that can only be equalled [equaled] in the oracles of truth; and by those who profess the same spirit: and when the muse of those ancient poets was fired by the spirit of God, and they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, there was a richness a dignity and a brilliancy of ideas; and an exuberance of thought that ran through all their productions, as in the facinating [fascinating] beauties of poesy they rolled forth the words of eternal life, with all their richness, and dignity, and glory; while at the same time they paid little or no attention to the rules of poetic composition. Let the curtains of heaven be withdrawn, and the purposes and glories of the eternal world burst upon his view and the dry forms, and simple jingling of poetry, alone, will be very dry and insipid to the enlarged and enlightened understanding of a man of God.
On this subjective we quote the following from the learned Rev. John Brown: "The songs of Moses, Deborah, and Hannah, the prayer of Hezekiah, and Habbakkuk [Habakkuk], if not also of Mary and Zacharias, Exod. xv., Judg. v., 1 Sam. ii., Isaiah, xxxviii., Hab. iii., Luke i., and the Psalms, most of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations, appear to be of the poetic kind. but after all the pains of the learned, we cannot understand the rules of their metre [meter]; nor can we say if they attended to any fixed rules; and the truth is, not rules in the world will render a man a true poet, who has not a proper stock of imagery and fire in his own mind. Besides the unequalled [unequaled] fire and bold strokes of imagery in scripture poems, their principal excellency is their being calculated to promote the honor of God, and the everlasting happiness of mankind."-Dic. of the Bible.
The last principle mentioned by Mr. Brown is certainly very clearly developed in the poetry of Mr. Smith; and whatever may have been the preconceived opinion of Justin Butterfield Esq., we are pursuaded [persuaded] that he will now be convinced that the modern Prophets can prophecy in poetry, as well as the ancient prophets and that no difference, even of that kind any longer exists.-[Ed.
FROM W. W. PHELPS TO JOSEPH SMITH:
THE PROPHET.
VADE MECUM, (TRANSLATED.) GO WITH ME.
Go with me, will you go to the saints that have died,-
To the next, better world, where the righteous reside;
Where the angels and spirits in harmony be
In the joys of a vast paradise? Go with me.
Go with me where the truth and the virtues prevail;
Where the union is one, and the years never fail;
Not a heart can conceive, nor a nat'ral eye see
What the Lord has prepar'd for the just. Go with me.
Go with me where there is no destruction or war;
Neither tyrants, or sland'rers, or nations ajar;
Where the system is perfect, and happiness free,
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