A SONG OF IGNOBLE EASE
When Pleasure's found,
Away with the tear;
Grief's a starved hound,
Pursued by lean Fear.
Life is a round
Of languor and pain;
When Joy is found,
Go forth not again.
Music's a sound
Which guides men to rest;
Love is the bound
That ends every quest.
Lie down to rest,
Slay fragile Pain,
Vanquish lean Fear,
Away with the Tear.
Finish thy quest
And strive not again.
Sick I had been, and very sore afraid,
Baffled of life, and lost to every hope,
Hounded by dread, pursued and left dismayed
Standing alone, abandoned and afraid.
Then did I ask, "What now is left to say?
Why should I question? Wherefore should I
strive?
Man was made thus, to fail and creep away;
Thus was Man made, and there is naught to say."
Oh, I was weak, and blind with too much pain,
Bankrupt and blind, all feeble in my tread;
Would I might touch one friendly hand again—
Find love to rid me of this too much pain."
I spoke in fear, and knew not what I said,
Thought not of anguish hands of love must share,
Lonely I was, because my hope was dead,
Yearning and sad. I knew not what I said.
Then did One come who laid His hands in mine,
One who did kiss my poor unseeing eyes,
Tenderly led to where the stars do shine,
Speaking kind words, He placed His hands in mine.
There did I see the trees go riding by
Moved by the wind, and heard the nightingale
Carol and slur, and sing, and sob, and sigh,
Wing-mounted moths, and angels riding by.
Then did I seek to see the healing friend;
But He had vanished. I was left alone.
There, where He stood, my body I did bend,
Weeping in prayer, to Him my healing friend.