Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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DORCAS. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
DORCAS.
Her needle was the simple sword, wherewith she strove for HimWho was her only Light and Lord upon that pathway dim.
But bravely did she face the foe and every evil spot,
She was too busy far to know if she had crown or not.
She never wept, she could not spare a single hour for grief,
When all that world of cruel care surged round her for relief.
They offered her most precious bribes to bid an angel stay,
But heedless of their gifts and gibes she had no time for play.
When trouble overcast her road, and fell with illness too,
She heeded not the heavier load while there was work to do.
She took her sunshine to the shade where sisters pined and bled,
And for the sick and suffering made her love a golden bed.
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Which carried healing in its touch with heavenly glory hedged.
She toiled when others sank in sleep, her purpose was so large,
The deep within her called to deep—two oceans without marge.
Death often passed her holy way with service smelling sweet,
But yielded like the potter's clay beneath her steadfast feet.
Her mighty heart could make no room for weakness or for wrong,
And turned the misery or gloom to beauty blithe as song.
The tears that brooded at her heart yet never leapt to light,
Lest they might do the wrecker's part and dim another's sight.
And when her body came to lie down with its duties gone,
Her noble spirit did not die—her life went working on.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |