RECOMPENSE.

Straight through my heart this fact to-day,

By Truth’ s own hand is driven:

God never takes one thing away,

But something else is given.

I did not know in earlier years,

This law of love and kindness;

I only mourned through bitter tears

My loss, in sorrow’ s blindness.

But, ever following each regret

O’ er some departed treasure,

My sad repining heart was met

With unexpected pleasure.

I thought it only happened so;

But Time this truth has taught me —

No least thing from my life can go,

But something else is brought me.

It is the Law, complete, sublime;

And now with Faith unshaken,

In patience I but bide my time,

When any joy is taken.

No matter if the crushing blow

May for the moment down me,

Still, back of it waits Love, I know,

With some new gift to crown me.