Poems (Cook)/I thank thee, God! for Weal and Woe
I THANK THEE, GOD! FOR WEAL AND WOE.
I thank Thee, God! for all I've known Of kindly fortune, health, and joy;And quite as gratefully I own The bitter drops of life's alloy.
Oh! there was wisdom in the blow That wrung the sad and scalding tear;That laid my dearest idol low, And left my bosom lone and drear.
I thank Thee, God! for all of smart That thou hast sent; for not in vainHas been the heavy, aching heart, The sigh of grief, the throb of pain.
What if my cheek had ever kept Its healthful colour, glad and bright!—What if my eyes had never wept Throughout a long and sleepless night?
Then, then, perchance, my soul had not Remember'd there were paths less fair;And, selfish in my own blest lot, Ne'er strove to soothe another's care.
But when the weight of sorrow found My spirit prostrate and resign'd;The anguish of the bleeding wound Taught me to feel for all mankind.
Even as from the wounded tree The goodly, precious balm will pour;So in the rived heart there'll be Mercy that never flow'd before.
'Tis well to learn that sunny hours May quickly change to mournful shade;'Tis well to prize life's scatter'd flowers, Yet be prepared to see them fade.
I thank Thee, God! for weal and woe; And, whatsoe'er the trial be,Twill serve to wean me from below, And bring my spirit nigher Thee.