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Page:Poems Gifford.djvu/40

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26

STIRRINGS. (Deuteronomy xxxii. 11, 12.)
An eyrie lodged on a barren rock
That the raging ocean girds,
Secure it seems from the tempest's shock,
A nest full of happy birds.

Yet, oh! it is well that the nest be stirred,
That the eaglets be taught to soar;
And wise is the care of the parent bird
When she shelters them no more.

And deem we not in our unbelief
That our Heavenly Father errs
When He sends to us our early grief,
When our peaceful nest He stirs.

For He hath heights we must attain,
And depths that we must know;
And 'tis but that we His bliss may gain
That He gives not rest below.

Borne then on wings of unbounded might,
Seek we the radiant sun;
Fix we our eyes on the Lord of light,
Soar to eternal noon.