University of Virginia Library

THE SERVICE OF SORROW.

When sorrow came upon me in a cloud,
And all that makes life beautiful was spent,
While the great glory of the earth seemed rent,
And turned into the shadow of a shroud;
When low before the knife of pain I bowed,
And bared my heart, till all my being went
Forth in an offering, with the life-blood blent,
Even as I knelt I nursed a spirit proud.
But ah! the knife of suffering pierced me sore,
It tore away the mask of dazzling lies,
And cut the old and gave me grander ties;
Till as I anguished on the altar floor,
Truth opened to me like the Temple door—
The sacrifice of meekness sanctifies.