Hope

Faith may break on reason,

Faith may prove a treason

To that highest gift

That is granted by Thy grace;

But Hope! Ah, let us cherish

Some spark that may not perish,

Some tiny spark to cheer us,

As we wander throught the waste!

A little lamp beside us,

A little lamp to guide us,

Where the path is rocky,

Where the road is steep;

That when the light falls dimmer,

Still some God-sent glimmer

May hold us steadfast ever,

To the track that we should keep.

Hope for the trending of it,

Hope for the ending of it,

Hope for all around us,

That it ripens in the sun.

Hope for what is waning,

Hope for what is gaining,

Hope for what is waiting

When the long day is done.

Hope for that He, the nameless,

May still be best and blameless,

Nor ever end His highest

With the earthworm and the slime.

Hope that 0'er the border

There lies a land of order,

With higher law to reconcile

The lower laws of Time.

Hope that every vexed life

Finds within that next life

Something that may recompense,

Something that cheer.

And that perchance the lowest one

Is truly but the slowest one,

Quickened by the sorrow

Wich is waiting for him here.

Doyle