WOULD I, TO SAVE MY DEAR CHILD?

Would I, to save my dear child dutiful,

Dare the white breakers on a storm-rent shore?

Ay, truly, Thou all good, all beautiful,

Truly I would,— then truly Thou would'st more.

Would I for my poor son, who desolate

After long sinning, sued without my door

For pardon, open it? Ay, fortunate

To hear such prayer, I would,— Lord, Thou would'st more.

Would I for e'en the stranger's weariness

And want divide, albeit‘ twere scant, my store?

Ay, and mine enemy, sick, shelterless,

Dying, I would attend,— O, Lord, Thou more.

In dust and ashes my long infamy

Of unbelief I rue. My love before

Thy love I set: my heart's discovery,

Is sweet,— whate'er I would, Thou wouldest more.

I was Thy shelterless, sick enemy,

And Thou didst die for me, yet heretofore

I have fear'd; now learn I love's supremacy,—

Whate'er is known of love, Thou lovest more.