—Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

———

I WOULD LIVE LONGER

Phil. i. 23.

O I would live longer, I gladly would stay,

Though "storm after storm rises dark o'er the way";

Temptations and trials beset me, 'tis true,

Yet gladly I'd stay where there's so much to do.

O I would live longer—not "away from my Lord"—

For ever he's with me, fulfilling his word;