A gift these hours have in charge for me.

My weal or wo they hold—my light—my shade.

Dark sorrow they may bring me—bitter tears⁠—

Or sunny joys—bright Laughter’s merry crew

May playful lurk behind those gloomy folds

But if to me the right were given to lift

Those veils, before the ordered time, and know

The gifts they bring—I’d pause. I do not seek

To know my future. This I humbly ask,

In joy or wo, that God may give to me