GRANT us, O Lord, that patience and that faith: Faith's patience imperturbable in Thee, Hope's patience till the long-drawn shadows flee, Love's patience unresentful of all scathe. Verily we need patience breath by breath; Patience while Faith holds up her glass to see, While Hope toils yoked in Fear's copartnery, And Love goes softly on the way to death. How gracious and how perfecting a grace Must Patience be on which those others wait: Faith with suspended rapture in her face, Hope pale and careful hand in hand with Fear, Love -- ah good Love who would not antedate God's Will, but saith, Good is it to be here. |