The Two Brothers, and other poems By Edward Henry Bickersteth |
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THE SUFFERER'S COUCH. |
 | The Two Brothers, and other poems |  |
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THE SUFFERER'S COUCH.
“Those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.”—1 Cor. xii. 22.
“My work is done, I lay me down to die:
Weary and travel-worn, I long to rest.
Speak but the word, dear Master; and I fly,
A dove let loose, to nestle on Thy breast.”
“Not yet, my child; a little longer wait,
I need thy prayerful watch at glory's gate.”
Weary and travel-worn, I long to rest.
Speak but the word, dear Master; and I fly,
A dove let loose, to nestle on Thy breast.”
“Not yet, my child; a little longer wait,
I need thy prayerful watch at glory's gate.”
“But, Lord, I have no strength to watch or pray,
My spirit is benumb'd, and dim my sight;
And I shall grieve Thy wakeful love, as they
Who in the garden slept that Paschal night.”
“My child, I need thy weakness, hour by hour,
To prove in Me thy strengthlessness is power.”
My spirit is benumb'd, and dim my sight;
And I shall grieve Thy wakeful love, as they
Who in the garden slept that Paschal night.”
“My child, I need thy weakness, hour by hour,
To prove in Me thy strengthlessness is power.”
311
“Not for myself alone I urge the suit;
But loved ones lose for me life's printless bloom,
And tender, patient, uncomplaining, mute,
Wear out their joyance in my darken'd room.”
“Enough, My child; I need their love to thee;
Around thy couch they minister to Me.”
But loved ones lose for me life's printless bloom,
And tender, patient, uncomplaining, mute,
Wear out their joyance in my darken'd room.”
“Enough, My child; I need their love to thee;
Around thy couch they minister to Me.”
“It is enough, dear Master,—yea, Amen;
I will not breathe one murmur of reply:
Only fulfil Thy work in me, and then
Call me, and bid me answer, ‘Here am I.’”
“My child, the sign I waited for is given:
Thy work is done; I need thee now in heaven.”
I will not breathe one murmur of reply:
Only fulfil Thy work in me, and then
Call me, and bid me answer, ‘Here am I.’”
“My child, the sign I waited for is given:
Thy work is done; I need thee now in heaven.”
1871.
| The Two Brothers, and other poems | |