Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN EVENING REVERIE, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN EVENING REVERIE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Since climbed the trembling light of dawn far up the / eastern stairs
Last Line: "nor, for my little thought of thee, take thou thy thoughts away!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): God; Jesus Christ; Peace; Prayer


SINCE climbed the trembling light of dawn far up the Eastern stairs,
How long it seems, how very long, since low I knelt at prayers,
And strove to cast on Christ the Lord the day with all its cares.

Then peace in silver waves came down, and all my soul was still;
The quiet of a deep content my being seemed to fill,
As "Not mine own," I cried, "but Thine be done, Thy blessèd will."

I thought: "Whatever He may send to-day, of joy or pain,
So Love decree it, let it come, it cannot come in vain;
'T will only be a link the more in Love's immortal chain."

I thought: "This day my words shall be so spirit-meek and mild,
My steps shall pattern after His, whom never sin defiled,
And I will live in gentleness, because I am His child."

Alas! with wayside dust assoiled, by wayside thickets torn,
With stain of earth upon my robes, and weary and forlorn,
The evening finds me on the day in such calm beauty born.

Remembrance folds her mantle o'er a shamed and blushing face,
And Hope upon the tablet of my heart finds little space
For tracery of golden words, or whispers sweet with grace.

How has the evil motive marred the fairest seeming deed!
How far the life has been below the lofty - sounding creed!
How little has the self been lost to help a brother's need!

The thoughtless word, the tone unkind, the shaft by passion sent,
The priceless hour—by angels brought—in idle dreaming spent,
The prison bars that, round the soul, the world and sin have pent.

For these the bitter tears must fall, as bending low I pray:
"O Saviour of Thine erring ones, receive this broken day,
Nor, for my little thought of Thee, take Thou Thy thoughts away!"





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