Poems (Hornblower)/Hymn (My Father! when, around me spread)

by Jane Elizabeth Roscoe Hornblower

For works with similar titles, see Hymn.

HYMN.

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My Father! when, around me spread,
 I see the shadows of the tomb,
And life's bright visions droop and fade,
 And darkness veils my future doom,—

Oh! in that anguished hour I turn,
 With a still trusting heart, to Thee,
And holy thoughts still shine and burn,
 Amid that cold sad destiny.

They fill my sold with heavenly light,
 While all around is pain and woe;
And strengthened by them, in Thy sight,
 Father! to drink Thy cup I go.

Thy will be done—I will not fear
 The fate provided by Thy love;
Though clouds and darkness shroud me here,
 I know that all is bright above.

The stars of heaven are shining on,
 Though these frail eyes are dim with tears,
The hopes of earth indeed are gone,
 But are not ours the immortal years?

Father! forgive the heart, that chugs
 Thus trembling to the things of time;
And hid my soul, on angel wings,
 Ascend into a purer clime.

There shall no doubts disturb its trust,
 No sorrows dim celestial love,
But these afflictions of the dust,
 Like shadows of the night, remove.

That glorious hour will well repay
 A life of toil, and pain, and woe;
O Father! joyful on my way,
 To chink Thy bitter cup I go.