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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NOT FORSAKEN by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL

First Line: OH, NOT FORSAKEN! GOD GIVES BETTER THINGS
Last Line: FOR ONE UNKNOWN, OH, HOW MUCH MORE DOTH HE!
Subject(s): GOD;
(Answer to an extremely beautiful but utterly melancholy sonnet, entitled 'Forsaken.')

OH, not forsaken! God gives better things
Than thou hast asked in thy forlornest hour.
Love's promises shall be fulfilled in power.
Not death, but life; not silence, but the strings
Of angel-harps; no deep, cold sea, but springs
Of living water; no dim, wearied sight,
Nor time, nor tear-mist, but the joy of light;
Not sleep, but rest that happy service brings;
And no forgotten name thy lot shall be,
But God's remembrance. Thou canst never drift
Beyond His love. Would I could reach thee where
The shadows droop so heavily, and lift
The cold weight from thy life! -- And if I care
For one unknown, oh, how much more doth HE!



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