Voices from the Lakes, and Other Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

O words of hope! they fall upon the ear
Like holy music floating from a Psalm,
Sweet as are far off bells that ring out clear,
Healing as was of old fair Gilead's balm.
What can the unknown future be but bright,
If thus, “At evening-time there shall be light.”

I feared the morrow, what the coming years,
Of trouble on my lonely life might shed,
And how the end might come, with peace or tears,
Yea, coward-like, I shrank with nameless dread
From what the day might bring, from what the night,
Oh shame! “At evening-time there shall be light.”

For late in gloom and mist had lain my way,
Through gathering storms, and wildly driving rain,
And clouds had darkened o'er my happy day,
And I had trembled with foreboding pain.

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Fearing to face what must and would be right,
Since thus, “At evening-time there shall be light.”

O faithless heart! What fearest thou? Be still,
The future is with Him who guides thy way,
Whose promises with peace thy soul should fill,—
“According to thy strength shall be thy day.”
Then walk by faith, soon shalt thou walk by sight,
Fear not: “At evening-time there shall be light.”

I do believe, O Father! Saviour! God!
Though troubled oft, I will not be distrest;
Nor will I faint, but boldly face the road,
And on Thy love my weary head shall rest,
Thy Word each fear and care shall put to flight,
I know “At evening-time there shall be light.”

The sun that often struggles all the day,
With clouds that darken o'er the dull grey sky,
At setting poureth forth a golden ray,
And floods the heavens with glory far and nigh,
So all my fears shall vanish—hope be bright,
And at my “evening-time there shall be light.”