Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/40

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22
Desire for Holiness.
Though near the house of pray'r they lie,
They never hear the Sabbath-bell;
Nor when the funeral passes by,
Start at the dead man's passing knell.

Though whirlwinds wild o'er Nature sweep,
Though battles fill the world with woes,
Though orphans wail, and widows weep,
It ne'er disturbs their calm repose.

Though there no coral lips be prest,
Though there shall heave no mutual sighs;
No cheek repose on beauty's breast—
Yet oh, how still the sleeper lies!

Though there no friendly hand shall shake
The hand of friendship any more—
What then?—the heart that wished to break
Is broken, and the strife is o'er.

No tear-drops o'er the cold cheek start,
No dark shades o'er the spirit wave;
No writhing pang distracts the heart
Of those that moulder in the grave.

Oh, for the dreamless rest of those
That in the grave serenely sleep—
That feel no more their own wild woes,
That hear no more their kindred weep!

Desire for Holiness.
Oh, could I find from day to day
A nearness to my God,
Then would my hours glide sweet away,
While leaning on His word.

Lord, I desire with Thee to live
Anew from day to day,
In joys the world can never give,
Nor ever take away.

Blest Jesus, come, and rule my heart,
And make me wholly Thine,
That I may never mote depart,
Nor grieve Thy love divine.