BETA

V.

A stormy sky, with glimpse of promise fair ;1
A trial bravely borne ; a sickness gone ;2
An unexpected sob from heart of stone ;3
A touch of magnanimity—too rare4
In one whose candour takes you unaware ;5
The luxury of weeping when alone,6
What time volition lies all prone7
After stout will has done its best to bear8
The tension of composure hard-sustain’d9
Before the eyes of others ; a child’s cry,10
Where loud roaring ends in laughter gained ;11
A smile from sadden’d heart, you scarce know why :—12
These sweets distill’d from bitterness of gall,13
To my thought, are no less than Godsends all.14