296    L.M.     B. Beddome
Inconstancy. Ps. 109. 23; Hos. 6. 4

1 The wandering star and fleeting wind
  Both represent the unstable mind;
  The morning cloud and early dew
  Bring our inconstancy to view.

2 But cloud, and wind, and dew, and star,
  Faint and imperfect emblems are;
  Nor can there aught in nature be
  So fickle and so false as we.

3 [Our outward walk and inward frame,
  Scarce through a single hour the same.
  We vow, and straight our vows forget,
  And then those very vows repeat.

4 We sin forsake, to sin return;
  Are hot, are cold; now freeze, now burn;
  In deep distress, then raptures feel;
  We soar to heaven, then sink to hell.]

5 With flowing tears, Lord, we’d confess
  Our folly and unsteadfastness;
  When shall these hearts more fixèd be –
  Fixed by thy grace, and fixed on thee?