XVII

The highest marble Sorrow vanishes

Before a weeping child.The one doth seem,

The other is. And wherefore do we dream,

But that we live? So I rejoice in this,

That Thou didst cast Thyself, in all the bliss

Of conscious strength, into Life's torrent stream,

( Thy deeds fresh life-springs that with blessings teem )

Acting, not painting rainbows o'er its hiss.

Forgive me, Lord, if in these verses lie

Mean thoughts, and stains of my infirmity;

Full well I know that if they were as high

In holy song as prophet's ecstasy,

‘ Tis more to Thee than this, if I, ah me!

Speak gently to a child for love of Thee.