 | Experiences |  |
37
THE SERVANTS.
I have six servants for my use,
Two bear me wheresoe'er I choose;
Carry me over the world where'er
I choose to be a traveller.
Two bear me wheresoe'er I choose;
Carry me over the world where'er
I choose to be a traveller.
Two, feat and nimble, do my will,
Write, play, sew, toilers tireless still,
Serve me with joy, serve me with love,
And never cry, “It is enough.”
Write, play, sew, toilers tireless still,
Serve me with joy, serve me with love,
And never cry, “It is enough.”
Two yet remaining ope for me
The world of Art and Poetry,
The dear delights of Nature spread
That feast my soul like daily bread.
The world of Art and Poetry,
The dear delights of Nature spread
That feast my soul like daily bread.
The feet that bear me long and well,
Wonderfully wrought, a miracle:
I praise God as I walk abroad
For these strong, delicate works of God.
Wonderfully wrought, a miracle:
I praise God as I walk abroad
For these strong, delicate works of God.
Likewise my hands that toil and moil,
Nor in my service fear a soil;
Wonderful hands that still achieve
So much between the morn and eve.
Nor in my service fear a soil;
Wonderful hands that still achieve
So much between the morn and eve.
Yet of my eyes what shall I say,
That without any holiday,
Year after year sans ease and rest,
Work for me like the patient beast?
That without any holiday,
Year after year sans ease and rest,
Work for me like the patient beast?
38
The eyes I have not thought to spare,
Being a merciless taskmaster,
Not careful of their strength nor wise,—
I crave forgiveness of my eyes.
Being a merciless taskmaster,
Not careful of their strength nor wise,—
I crave forgiveness of my eyes.
When on one day account I shall
Unto the Over-Lord of all,
For these, my servants, I shall say,
“Well did they serve me in my day.”
Unto the Over-Lord of all,
For these, my servants, I shall say,
“Well did they serve me in my day.”
And on that day of the Great Assize
I pray my hands, my feet, my eyes
Accuse me not. Ah, why should I fear
These fellow-travellers, kind and dear?
I pray my hands, my feet, my eyes
Accuse me not. Ah, why should I fear
These fellow-travellers, kind and dear?
These comrades on the heavenward road,
Those cunning, wonderful works of God.
Not servants! Nay, but each a friend,
For whom I praise God, world without end.
Those cunning, wonderful works of God.
Not servants! Nay, but each a friend,
For whom I praise God, world without end.
| Experiences | |