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 playsReligion'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 aboveThy rapt heart soars, for comfort in its loss.God is in all thy thoughts, and in thy fareBeam faith, and tenderness, and heavenly grace.