Trouble? dear friend, I know her not. God sent
His angel Sorrow on my heart to lay
Her hand in benediction, and to say,
“Restore, O child, that which thy Father lent,
For He doth now recall it,” long ago.
His blessed angel Sorrow! She has walked
For years beside me, and we two have talked
As chosen friends together. Thus I know
Trouble and Sorrow are not near of kin.
Trouble distrusteth God, and ever wears
Upon her brow the seal of many cares;
But Sorrow oft hast deepest peace within.
She sits with Patience in perpetual calm,
Waiting till Heaven shall send the healing balm.
HYMN
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CEMETERY
Ye Pines, with solemn grandeur crowned,
Put on your priestly robes to-day;
Henceforth ye stand on holy ground,
Where Love and Death hold equal sway.
Lift up to Heaven each crested head,
And raise your giant arms on high,
And swear that o’er our slumbering dead
Ye will keep watch and ward for aye.
For month by month, and year by year,
While shine the stars, and rolls the sea,
Our silent ones shall gather here,
To rest beneath the greenwood tree.
Here no rude sight nor sound shall break
The calmness of their last, long sleep,
And Earth and Heaven, for Love’s sweet sake,
Shall o’er them ceaseless vigils keep.
Our silent ones! Their very dust
Is precious in our longing eyes;
O, guard ye well the sacred trust,
Till God’s own voice shall bid them rise!