Poems (Angier)/Counsels

by Annie Lanman Angier

COUNSELS.

Be wise, my head, the past hath shown
The Father safely leads his own
Up rugged steep, through thorny vale;
Though eye grow dim and cheek turn pale,
Let not a doubt His love assail.
Be wise, my head, the past hath shown
The Father safely leads His own—
      Be wise, my head.

Be strong, my heart, and bravely bear
Thy Heaven-appointed load of care;
How pure the bliss the angels know,
To sigh not but for others' woe,
Thus live and feel their peace below.
Be strong, my heart, and bravely bear
Thy Heaven-appointed load of care—
      Be strong, my heart.

Be calm, my pulse, now cool and slow
Should be thy crimson current's flow,
Nor sadly beat, nor wildly thrill
In grief or joy, at good or ill;
Each hath its mission to fulfil;
Be calm, my pulse, now cool and slow
Should be thy crimson current's flow—
      Be calm, my pulse.

Be glad, my soul, on Time's fleet wing
Thou'rt nearing an eternal spring,
When Hope's fair buds shall know no blight,
And sunniest day need fear no night,
And Wrong no more shall conquer Right
Be wise, be strong, be calm, be glad,
Stand for life's conflict armor-clad.
      Be wise, be strong.