Moral Pieces, in Prose and Verse/Birth Day
BIRTH DAY.
THOU, whose kind hand, and ever watchful care,
Presents another year, and wakes my prayer,
Guide thou my steps, direct me in my course,
Crush vain resolves, and errors strengthen'd force;
Impart the meek desire, the hope sublime,
The thought that soars above the scenes of time,
The hand that toils untir'd for other's good,
And sets the seal to duty understood,
The humble heart, the sympathy sincere,
The smile for joy, for misery, the tear,
Balm for the wounded, for the drooping—aid,
A tranquil trust when ills of life invade,
The conscience clear, that leads to sweet repose,
And the warm thrill that pure devotion knows.
Let gratitude to those who kindly strew
My path with flow'rs, he uniform and new;
And still my spirit reach each fair degree
Of gratitude to those, and love to thee.
What shall I ask, or what refrain to say,
Where shall I point, or how conclude my lay?
So much my weakness needs; so much thy voice
Assures that weakness, and confirms my choice.
Oh, give an active life of peace and truth,
Strength to my heart, and wisdom to my youth;
A sphere of usefulness—the boon to fill
That sphere with duty, and perform thy will;
An angel's zeal to grace my little span,
And the meek soul of him who died for man.
And when at last the heavy shades shall fall,
Of that dark dream which comes but once to all,
Whether in youth, maturity, or age,
Oh, let thy gentle care my pains assuage,
My faith support, my gather'd fears remove,
And tell my spirit of thy pard'ning love.
Then with firm heart I'd tempt the foaming tides,
Which this dark land from that of bliss divides,
Lift the dim eye to catch the smile of Heaven,
Nerve the rent heart that feels its sins forgiven,
Meet with calm brow the dashing billow's roar,
And land with safety on the eternal shore.