The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter With an Introduction by Charles Dickens |
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THREEFOLD. |
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 | The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter |  |
THREEFOLD.
Mother of grace and mercy,
Behold how burthens three
Weigh down my weary spirit,
And drive me here—to Thee.
Three gifts I place for ever
Before thy shrine:
The threefold offering of my love,
Mary, to thine!
Behold how burthens three
Weigh down my weary spirit,
And drive me here—to Thee.
Three gifts I place for ever
Before thy shrine:
The threefold offering of my love,
Mary, to thine!
The Past: with all its memories,
Of pain—that stings me yet;
Of sin—that brought repentance;
Of joy—that brought regret.
That which has been:—for ever
So bitter-sweet—
I lay in humblest offering
Before thy feet.
Of pain—that stings me yet;
Of sin—that brought repentance;
Of joy—that brought regret.
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So bitter-sweet—
I lay in humblest offering
Before thy feet.
The Present: that dark shadow
Through which we toil to-day;
The slow drops of the chalice
That must not pass away.
Mother—I dare not struggle,
Still less despair:
I place my Present in thy hands
And leave it there.
Through which we toil to-day;
The slow drops of the chalice
That must not pass away.
Mother—I dare not struggle,
Still less despair:
I place my Present in thy hands
And leave it there.
The Future: holding all things
Which I can hope or fear,
Brings sin and pain, it may be,
Nearer and yet more near.
Mother! this doubt and shrinking
Will not depart,
Unless I trust my Future
To thy dear Heart.
Which I can hope or fear,
Brings sin and pain, it may be,
Nearer and yet more near.
Mother! this doubt and shrinking
Will not depart,
Unless I trust my Future
To thy dear Heart.
Making the Past my lesson,
Guiding the Present right,
Ruling the misty Future—
Bless them and me to-night.
What may be, and what must be,
And what has been,
In thy dear care for ever
I leave, my Queen!
Guiding the Present right,
Ruling the misty Future—
Bless them and me to-night.
What may be, and what must be,
And what has been,
In thy dear care for ever
I leave, my Queen!
| The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter | |