Poems (Smith)/Everlasting Woe
EVERLASTING WOE.
Lift the shadow, oh, my God! I bow beneath thy chastening rod! Remove from my poor aching brain The troubl'd thought and racking pain! I stop and shudder when I think I'm verging on the fearful brink Of everlasting woe.
With sadden'd heart alone I go, That those I love may never know Their unkind words have hurt me so. And when bevond their sidit and care My every thought and fervent prayer Will be that God those children spare From everlasting woe.
For He alone can judge the heart, And may they gain that better part: No unkind thought within them dwell When I shall sav the sad farewell! I'd rather brave the wintry blast Than feel my soul would sink at last To everlasting woe.
With blinding tears and heart oppress'd I go I know not where to rest! Those cruel words, with withering blight, Have sunk my soul in darkest night! I pray to God that He will spare And save me from this dark despair, And everlasting woe.