'TIS my happiness below Not to live without the cross, But the Saviour's power to know, Sanctifying every loss: Trials must and will befall; But with humble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all, This is happiness to me. God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil; These spring up and choke the weeds Which would else o'erspread the soil: Trials make the promise sweet, Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to his feet, Lay me low, and keep me there. Did I meet no trials here, No chastisement by the way, Might I not with reason fear I should prove a castaway? Bastards may escape the rod, Sunk in earthly vain delight; But the true-born child of God Must not,--would not, if he might. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CELSUS AT HADRIAN'S VILLA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE TRANSIENCE OF HANDS by KAREN SWENSON A MEDITATION ON RHODE ISLAND COAL by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT SIDNEY GODOLPHIN by CLINTON SCOLLARD THRENOS by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY TO AN ISLE IN THE WATER by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE LAST LOOK O' HAME by HEW AINSLIE INSCRIPTIONS: 2. FOR A STATUE OF CHAUCER AT WOODSTOCK by MARK AKENSIDE |