 | English melodies |  |
200
IF THIS WORLD WE INHABIT.
If this world we inhabit—this waking and sleeping,
Were really life's sum, its beginning and end,
Existence itself would be scarcely worth keeping,
And all little worth that to nothing must tend.
But God's living scripture lies star-writ before us;
There's comfort 'mid sorrow—as many may find:
While the wing of Eternity's hovering o'er us—
Let's bear with misfortune—and still never mind!
Were really life's sum, its beginning and end,
Existence itself would be scarcely worth keeping,
And all little worth that to nothing must tend.
But God's living scripture lies star-writ before us;
There's comfort 'mid sorrow—as many may find:
While the wing of Eternity's hovering o'er us—
Let's bear with misfortune—and still never mind!
If life were absorb'd in receiving and paying,
In getting and spending—and thus to the close;
If Faith never came its bright future displaying,—
One could weep life away, and be glad to repose.
But the spirit of Faith, like an angel ascending,
The shadow of years, like a dream, leaves behind;
Life's troubles, and trials, and tears, have an ending,
'Tis but for a time—never mind—never mind!
In getting and spending—and thus to the close;
If Faith never came its bright future displaying,—
One could weep life away, and be glad to repose.
201
The shadow of years, like a dream, leaves behind;
Life's troubles, and trials, and tears, have an ending,
'Tis but for a time—never mind—never mind!
| English melodies | |