Poems (Sharpless)/The One Refuge

by Frances M. Sharpless

THE ONE REFUGE

If life were always summer,
 If hearts were ever young,
And sorrow a chance comer
 Our brilliant days among;
The soul brave 'mid such glory,
 Might trust her native pride;
And scorning Faith's sweet story,
 Choose Reason for her guide.

But the year waxes older,
 Dark grows the threatening sky;
When sombre clouds enfold her
 Ah! whither shall she fly?
When happiness is fleeing
 Before misfortune's gale,
And slow the heart is beating,
 While strength and courage fail,

Twere far too sad for weeping,
 Too bitter for despair,
Were all her aid in keeping
 Of Reason cold and clear.
But joy! that upward reaching
 Beyond all she can prove,
To the sad soul's beseeching
 Respond the arms of Love.

Oh ye, who measure heaven,
 Ye who can weigh the stars,
The powers to you given
 Throb within mortal bars.
Not to knowledge, but to feeling,
 The deepest truths unroll;—
Amid the clouds revealing
 Her Father to the soul.