 | The music-lesson of Confucius, And Other Poems |  |
80
ALMA VENUS.
THERE were two Christians drowning in a storm,And unto them came Venus in her light,
Who offered to the first a helping hand:
But he preferred to drown, too pious far
To owe his life to her. Then to the next
She turned in beauty, and he took her hand.
When safe upon the shore he kneeling cried:
‘I thank thee as the minister of God,
Fair Queen of Loveliness and Life and Love.
Since He hath chosen thee to save my life
Shall I pass judgment on His ways and means?’
The first who drowned went unto Heaven's gate,
And knocked, and there could hardly enter in,
So close St Peter held the leaf—the next
Found it wide open with a welcome cry.
God is in all things, and he works through all.
| The music-lesson of Confucius, And Other Poems | |