Poems (Shipton)/The Look

by Anna Shipton

For works with similar titles, see Look.

THE LOOK.

"The Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might."
Judges vi. 14.

I looked upon the olive-grove,
 What comfort could it bring?
The fruitful vine, once full of speech,
 Was but a common thing.
Up to the gorgeous skies I gazed,
 Down to the silvery sea,
On to the purple sunset heights;
 But all were dumb to me.

Then back I turned to vanished days,
 When Christ His love revealed:
To messages of hope and peace
 His faithful hand had sealed.
And well I knew, "for me He died,"
 But yet no rest could be,
Until my drooping heart could sing,
 "My Saviour lives for me."

I looked upon my wounded feet,
 So often led astray;
I strove to count my countless sins,
 For ever put away;
I looked on everything but Him,
 In desolating grief.
And found!—heart, what couldst thou find
 Of solace and relief?

Then sat I down before the Lord,
 That He my need might see;
And helpless, hopeless, speechless, there
 My Saviour looked on me.
Oh, look of life! oh, might of love!
 My heart that glance returned,
And melting 'neath His heavenly smile,
 With joy and ardor burned.

Just so my sweet and sovereign Lord
 On Peter looked before:
He, in the strength of that one look,
 Denied his Lord no more;
But followed Him in life to death:
 Lord, let me do the same;
Yea, let me go in this Thy might—
 Strong in Thy holy Name.