WEEPING.
Thou shalt weep no more.—Isaiah, xxx. 19.
Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.—Luke, vi. 21.
Jesus wept.—John, xi. 35.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.—Romans, xii. 15.
Though woe to joy! And though, at morn thou weep,
And though the midnight find thee weeping still,
Good cheer! good cheer! The Shepherd loves his sheep—
Resign thee to the watchful Father’s will.
Rosegarten.
Oh! glorious miracle of heavenly love!
Oh! wondrous spectacle of saving grace!
Oh! sympathy divine with human woe!
He who had conquered death did condescend
To weep over a grave where others wept!
How deep the lesson—and how marvellous
The meaning of such sorrow!
Said it not;
Thy grief offends me not, if it be meek,
Trustful, and humble. I forbid not tears,
When they flow patiently. I would not close
The springs of sympathy. I made ye thus
To cling one to the other, and to feel
Each for his neighbour, both in joy and woe;
Yet teach your sorrow reverence; and believe
That he who smites you is the Lord your God.
Miss Pardoe.
Thou who hearest plaintive music,
Or sweet songs of other days;
Heaven-revealing organs pealing,
Or clear voices hymning praise,
And would’st weep, thou know’st not wherefore,
Though thy soul is steeped in joy;
And the world looks kindly on thee;
And thy bliss hath no alloy—
Weep, nor seek for consolation,
Let the heaven-sent droplets flow,
They are hints of mighty secrets;
We are wiser than we know.
Charles Mackay.