Page:Scenes and Hymns of Life.pdf/27

Thy pure cheek touching mine, and call on Him,
Th' all-pitying One, to aid.
[They kneel.
O, look on us,
Father above! in tender mercy look
On us, thy children! through th' o'ershadowing cloud
Of sorrow and mortality, send aid,
Save or we perish! we would pour our lives
Forth as a joyous offering to thy truth,
But we are weak—we, the bruised reeds of earth,
Are sway'd by every gust. Forgive, O God!
The blindness of our passionate desires,
The fainting of our hearts, the lingering thoughts,
Which cleave to dust! Forgive the strife; accept
The sacrifice, though dim with mortal tears,
From mortal pangs wrung forth! And if our souls,
In all the fervent dreams, the fond excess.
Of their long-clasping love, have wander'd not.
Holiest! from thee; oh! take them to thyself,
After the fiery trial, take them home