THE PEARL-DIVER.
79
And such thy prize, pearl-seeker! Though the light,
Upon thine head once shining, is withdrawn,
Though the dark shadows gather on thy sight;
The midnight is the herald of the morn.
God led thee here, to trust, and hope, and learn,
Among the mists of earth: it must be so:
His hand in all thy wanderings to discern,
To testify of that which thou dost know.
When hath He left His tempted ones alone?
Veiled in the cloud behold Him! Friend, press on!
Upon thine head once shining, is withdrawn,
Though the dark shadows gather on thy sight;
The midnight is the herald of the morn.
God led thee here, to trust, and hope, and learn,
Among the mists of earth: it must be so:
His hand in all thy wanderings to discern,
To testify of that which thou dost know.
When hath He left His tempted ones alone?
Veiled in the cloud behold Him! Friend, press on!
Ah! what avails the fleeting happiness
Bestowed by human heart, so dull to see
Its fondest love is foolishness to bless?
And none had chosen thy dark path for thee:
None but the God-man, who Himself hath trod
The way He leads thee, can thy portion choose.
No heart can shelter, save the heart of God,
That thou no ray of glory hence may lose.
A little while—and then His sweet "Well done!"
Awaits thee. Watch, and hope, and still press on.
Bestowed by human heart, so dull to see
Its fondest love is foolishness to bless?
And none had chosen thy dark path for thee:
None but the God-man, who Himself hath trod
The way He leads thee, can thy portion choose.
No heart can shelter, save the heart of God,
That thou no ray of glory hence may lose.
A little while—and then His sweet "Well done!"
Awaits thee. Watch, and hope, and still press on.
Thy God smiles on thee! Though we cannot raise
Our summer songs as when our day shone bright,
He counts submissive sighs as sweet as praise.
Our morning's His; His, too, the darkest night:
Sure that, 'mid all, He keeps thy name engraved
Deep on His loving heart. Soon shalt thou own
Our summer songs as when our day shone bright,
He counts submissive sighs as sweet as praise.
Our morning's His; His, too, the darkest night:
Sure that, 'mid all, He keeps thy name engraved
Deep on His loving heart. Soon shalt thou own
