Men point at me as smitten by God’s frown;

Afflicted and deserted of my kind:—

Yet am I not cast down.

I am weak, yet strong;

I murmur not that I no longer see;

Poor, old, and helpless, I the more belong,

Father Supreme, to Thee!

O merciful One!

When men are farthest, then art Thou most near;

When friends pass by—my weaknesses to shun—