Resigning

"Poor heart, what bitter words we speak

When God speaks of resigning!"

Children, that lay their pretty garlands by

So piteously, yet with a humble mind;

Sailors, who, when their ship rocks in the wind,

Cast out her freight with half-averted eye,

Riches for life exchanging solemnly,

Lest they should never gain the wished-for shore;—

Thus we, O Father, standing Thee before,

Do lay down at Thy feet without a sigh

Each after each our precious things and rare,

Our dear heart-jewels and our garlands fair.

Perhaps Thou knewest that the flowers would die,

And the long-voyaged boards be found but dust:

So took'st them, while unchanged. To Thee we trust

For incorruptible treasure: Thou art just.