SOURCE of love, and light of day, Tear me from myself away; Every view and thought of mine Cast into the mould of Thine; Teach, oh teach this faithless heart A consistent, constant part; Or, if it must live to grow More rebellious, break it now! Is it thus that I requite Grace and goodness infinite? Every trace of every boon Cancelled and erased so soon! Can I grieve Thee, whom I love; Thee, in whom I live and move? If my sorrow touch Thee still, Save me from so great an ill! Oh! the oppressive, irksome weight, Felt in an uncertain state; Comfort, peace, and rest, adieu, Should I prove at last untrue! Still I choose Thee, follow still Every notice of Thy will; But, unstable, strangely weak, Still let slip the good I seek. Self-confiding wretch, I thought I could serve Thee as I ought, Win Thee, and deserve to feel All the Love Thou canst reveal! Trusting self, a bruised reed, Is to be deceived indeed. Save me from this harm and loss, Lest my gold turn all to dross! Self is earthly--Faith alone Makes an unseen world our own; Faith relinquished, how we roam, Feel our way, and leave our home! Spurious gems our hopes entice, While we scorn the pearl of price; And, preferring servants' pay, Cast the children's bread away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ASOLANDO: NOW by ROBERT BROWNING OF THE THEME OF LOVE by MARGARET LUCAS CAVENDISH THE BEAUTIFUL by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES AFTER A LECTURE ON KEATS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES CRY WOE, WOE, AND LET THE GOOD PREVAIL, FR. AGAMEMNON by AESCHYLUS THE LAST CAESAR, 1851-1870 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE CALL by ANNYE LEWIS ALLISON TO JOANNA, ON SENDING ME THE LEAF OF A FLOWER ... WORDSWORTH'S GARDEN by BERNARD BARTON |