Even death and decay in His light lost their shame,
He beckoned me on, and still upward I strove.
In manhood I saw Him, when summer grew strong,
And sin quickened to fear in the sense of His frown,
The death thought me threatened, the shadows grew long,
With the weight of heart-sinkings my head was bowed down.
First then He revealed me the wealth of His mercy,
First then did the burden grow sweet to the soul;
The sense of the Shepherd Compassionate gripped me,
The Cross that stood stark had become a dear goal.