Littell's Living Age/Volume 115/Issue 1489/Voices

by Alice Horton

          I. THE VOICE OF THE DISCIPLE.
One fate with Thee, my Master, I will share;
Shame were it to rejoice where Thou didst weep;
Where Thou didst wake, my Lord, I would not sleep,
     Or faint where Thou didst bear.

Far off I follow Thee in spite of strife,
Returning to Thee, though awhile I stray,
In spite of thorns and briars in the way,
     Still on the path to Life.

And not alone, because Thy presence fills
My midnight darkness and my midday light;
And so, though friend-bereft, I am not quite
     Guideless upon the hills.

          II. THE VOICE OF THE BELOVED.
My child, thou doest well to trust my love —
Can any save thee if I let thee die?
Has the world proved to thee more kind than I,
     That thou shouldst doubt and rove?

The world gives tinsel, and I give thee gold;
I cast not off my friend for being poor;
Come, sad and desolate, unto my door,
     Or totter even when old.

Who suffer here, hereafter reign with me,
If only they trail not their spirit-wings,
Or tire them, by pursuing earthly things,
     For my eternity.