Poems (Dorr)/Quietness

by Julia Caroline Dorr

QUIETNESS

I would be quiet, Lord,
 Nor tease, nor fret;
Not one small need of mine
 Wilt Thou forget.

I am not wise to know
 What most I need;
I dare not cry too loud
 Lest Thou shouldst heed:

Lest Thou at length shouldst say,
 "Child, have thy will;
As thou hast chosen, lo!
 Thy cup I fill!"

What I most crave, perchance
 Thou wilt withhold,
As we from hands unmeet
 Keep pearls, or gold;

As we, when childish hands
 Would play with fire,
Withhold the burning goal
 Of their desire.

Yet choose Thou for me—Thou
 Who knowest best;
This one short prayer of mine
 Holds all the rest!