Poems (Denver)/To Affliction

by Mary Caroline Denver and Jane Campbell Denver

TO AFFLICTION.

J.C.D.

Life is fair! O! how fair,
When the heart is free from care;
When the flowers of love full-blown
All around our paths are strown;
When affection's soothing voice,
Bids the hopeful heart rejoice;
   Then the earth we love,
Seeking treasures in its dross,
Seeking pleasures in its loss;
   Turning from above.

But when grief, with all her train,
Bring us tears and heart-wrung pain;
When the leader's voice of sorrow
Tells of darker woes to-morrow;
When the flower of love is broken,
When is lost affection's token,
   Then we look above!
Seeking treasure pure and bright,
Seeking pleasure in the light
   Of God's smile of love!

Come, then, come! affliction sore!
I will welcome thee once more;
In the heart of pleasure, mine
Found a heavier chain than thine;
Wounding with a poisoned dart,
Thou dost soften every heart,
   Leading us above,
To the pleasure found alone
For the suppliant at His throne,
   In God's smile of love!