Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLNEY HYMNS: 41. PEACE AFTER A STORM, by WILLIAM COWPER


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OLNEY HYMNS: 41. PEACE AFTER A STORM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When darkness long has veil'd my mind
Last Line: Be shame and self-abhorrence mine.


WHEN darkness long has veiled my mind,
And smiling day once more appears,
Then, my Redeemer, then I find
The folly of my doubts and fears.

Straight I upbraid my wandering heart,
And blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part,
Or harbour one hard thought of thee.

Oh! let me then at length be taught
What I am still so slow to learn;
That God is Love, and changes not,
Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

Sweet truth, and easy to repeat!
But when my faith is sharply tried,
I find myself a learner yet,
Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.

But, O my Lord, one look from thee
Subdues the disobedient will,
Drives doubt and discontent away,
And thy rebellious worm is still.

Thou art as ready to forgive
As I am ready to repine;
Thou, therefore, all the praise receive;
Be shame and self-abhorrence mine.





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