Poems (Hornblower)/Sonnet (O beautiful in life and spirit! Thou)
For works with similar titles, see Sonnet.
SONNET.
O beautiful in life and spirit! Thou
Hast truly learned Christ, and in thy breast
His pure and simple precepts are imprest,
A Christian's peace upon thy calm, white brow.
Thou fearest not sorrow; and the overthrow
Of fondest hope, in thee could never raise
Even one distrustful sigh, for round thee plays
Religion's light, and virtue's angel glow.
Thou dost not shrink from pain, and when the cross
Is heavy on thee, still thy smile of love
Beams brightly through thy tears, and far above
Thy rapt heart soars, for comfort in its loss.
God is in all thy thoughts, and in thy fare
Beam faith, and tenderness, and heavenly grace.
Hast truly learned Christ, and in thy breast
His pure and simple precepts are imprest,
A Christian's peace upon thy calm, white brow.
Thou fearest not sorrow; and the overthrow
Of fondest hope, in thee could never raise
Even one distrustful sigh, for round thee plays
Religion's light, and virtue's angel glow.
Thou dost not shrink from pain, and when the cross
Is heavy on thee, still thy smile of love
Beams brightly through thy tears, and far above
Thy rapt heart soars, for comfort in its loss.
God is in all thy thoughts, and in thy fare
Beam faith, and tenderness, and heavenly grace.