Poems (Angier)/Watch and Wait

by Annie Lanman Angier

WATCH AND WAIT.

Be this thy motto—watch and wait—
 These words are armed with power;
They nerve the soul with calm resolve
 To meet misfortune's hour.
        Watch and wait.

In faith the precious seed consign
 To its dark grave, the soil;
Then watch and wait—the springing germ
 Will well reward thy toil.
        Watch and wait.

Should sickness to thy dwelling come,
 That pale, mysterious guest;
And bear thy darlings, one by one
 To dreamless churchyard rest.
        Watch and wait.

Who reads the scroll of future years
 Shall own the record shows
That death but snatched the friends we mourned
 From deep, o'ershadowing woes.
        Watch and wait.

Hath fickle Fortune faithless proved,
 And closed her liberal hand?
Are laurels drooping on thy brow
 By Fame's soft breath once fanned?
        Watch and wait.

True Virtue, in her conscious worth.
 Both sneer and frown defies;
When her pure gaze is heavenward turned
 Bright grow her tear-dimmed eyes.
        Watch and wait.

To gray-haired matron, hoary sage,
 Alike to small and great;
'Tis wisdom's voice through Nature speaks,
 And bids us watch and wait.
        Watch and wait.

Then be thy motto—watch and wait—
 Be strong to bear, to dare,
And Hope shall tinge with rainbow hues
 The night of thy despair.
        Watch and wait.