Poems (Procter)/The Peace of God
For works with similar titles, see The Peace of God.
THE PEACE OF GOD.
E ask for Peace, O Lord! Thy children ask Thy Peace;Not what the world calls rest, That toil and care should cease,That through bright sunny hours Calm Life should fleet away, And tranquil night should fade In smiling day;—It is not for such Peace that we would pray.We ask for Peace, O Lord! Yet not to stand secure,Girt round with iron Pride, Contented to endure:Crushing the gentle strings That human hearts should know,Untouched by others' joy Or others' woe;—Thou, O dear Lord, wilt never teach us so.
We ask Thy Peace, O Lord! Through storm, and fear, and strife,To light and guide us on, Through a long, struggling life:While no success or gain Shall cheer the desperate fight,Or nerve, what the world calls, Our wasted might:—Yet pressing through the darkness to the light.
It is Thine own, O Lord, Who toil while others sleep;Who sow with loving care What other hands shall reap:They lean on Thee entranced, In calm and perfect rest:Give us that Peace, O Lord, Divine god blest,Thou keepest for those hearts who love Thee best.