The Prisoner of Love By F. W. Orde Ward (F. Harald Wiliams) |
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May 12
IF I WERE GOD |
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 | The Prisoner of Love |  |
159
May 12 IF I WERE GOD
“Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not
done it?”—Amos iii. 6.
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace,
and create evil.”—Isa. xlv. 7.
It I were God, saith foolish man,
I would have made an easier road
And life itself a simple plan,
Without one dark or weary load;
I would not leave a tiny sting
Or thorn to give a moment's pain,
While every slave should be a king
And none disfigured by a stain;
The gold should have no clinging dross
To make the labourer but a thrall,
Nor would I let a single cross
Throw its dread shadow over all.
I would have made an easier road
And life itself a simple plan,
Without one dark or weary load;
I would not leave a tiny sting
Or thorn to give a moment's pain,
While every slave should be a king
And none disfigured by a stain;
The gold should have no clinging dross
To make the labourer but a thrall,
Nor would I let a single cross
Throw its dread shadow over all.
If I were man, I would despise
The slothful dream, that hopes to win
(But not by struggling) Paradise—
To open and to enter in;
I would not be content to take
Whate'er I could and pay no price,
And hold Eternity (the stake),
Not worth a tear for sacrifice;
I would not value what no loss
Achieved or care to call it mine,
Nor wear the crown without the Cross
Nor let man be less than Divine.
The slothful dream, that hopes to win
(But not by struggling) Paradise—
To open and to enter in;
I would not be content to take
Whate'er I could and pay no price,
And hold Eternity (the stake),
Not worth a tear for sacrifice;
I would not value what no loss
Achieved or care to call it mine,
Nor wear the crown without the Cross
Nor let man be less than Divine.
| The Prisoner of Love | |