Poems (Angier)/Courage

by Annie Lanman Angier

For works with similar titles, see Courage.

COURAGE.

Courage, my soul, for always near
Is One who lends a listening ear!
He, watching, waits thy prayer to hear;
His voice can soothe. His presence cheer,
He wipes from sorrow's eye the tear,
He strews Hope's flowers in deserts drear;
Who in their hearts an altar rear
To Him,—need know nor care nor fear.
    Courage, my soul!

 Close not the curtains,
  Nor darken the room,
 Nor with silence and sable-pall
  Deepen the gloom;
 Though trembling limbs falter,
  Ay, totter to fall;
 Bending beneath the cross,
  Drinking the gall.
    Courage, my soul!

 Toiling up wearily
  Calvary's steep;
 Bearing thy weight of woe,
  Stay not to weep;
 Firm be thy tread,
  Though rugged the road,
 Planting thy feet
  In the footprints of God.
    Courage, my soul!

 Who would come after me,
  Thus saith the Word,
 Let him deny himself.
  Gird on the sword;
 Arm for the upward march,
  Battling with foes,
 Though he sweat drops of blood,
  Onward he goes.
    Courage, my soul!

 Simon of Cyrene,
  Where art thou now?
 Gleams not the conqueror's
  Crown on thy brow?
 Light from its radiant points,
  Streams it not back?
 Shedding a halo
  Over life's track!
    Courage, my soul!

 White-souled son of Afric!
  We greet thee to-day;
 For we tread, as thy feet trod,
  A wearisome way;
 But joy gilds the hill-top,
  When climbing is past;
 Who welcome cross, spear, and thorn,
  Triumph at last.
    Courage, my soul!