I.
Straight from the hand of God comes many a gift,1
Fraught with healing and with consolation2
For a world of toil and tribulation ;3
And yet from which we blindly shrink and shift,4
As from a burden onerous to lift.5
Work itself, hard, drudging occupation,6
Comes in shape of blessed dispensation7
To those who wisely can perceive the drift8
Of such a boon to assuage the pangs of mind,9
Sadness, suspense, anxiety, or worse,10
Rankle from wounding words and looks unkind,11
The desolation of friends’ eyes averse,12
Nay, e’en the anguish of a recent loss,13
Akin to that was felt beneath the Cross.14