“This Hurrying Life.”
A little while to pause and rest,1
A little space to draw full breath—2
Ah me ! we are too sorely pressed3
Who run for life and death !4
We know not what the goal may be,5
We know not what the prize when won,6
But still we struggle feverishly,7
And though we faint, we run.8
Some fail beneath the noon-tide heat,9
And fall with faces white and wan ;10
Some hold their course with bleeding feet—11
Yet still the race goes on.12
And some who fall rise up no more,13
Yet other runners take their place ;14
And still as madly as before15
Swings on the furious race !16
We have no time to pause and read17
The beauty writ in earth and sky ;18
We may not slacken in our speed,19
Or men may pass us by.20
The children call us from their play,21
And love and friendship speak us kind—22
We may not wait to hear to-day23
Lest we be left behind !24
We still must strain our aching sight,25
The goal is nearer than before ;26
And ever hastens on the night27
When we can run no more.28
We labour on, we scarce know why,29
Nor what reward our toil shall bless ;30
We rise up ere the sun is high,31
And eat the bread of carefulness.32
Yet sometimes from the winning post33
Comes back the cry of “ Labour lost,”34
And doubts chill those who strive the most35
If gain exceeds the cost.36
For there are times when dull and cold37
The prizes look when nearer seen ;38
When lust of power and love of gold39
Show base and poor and mean !40
And worthless every proud success,41
To hearts so toil-worn and oppressed,42
And all the world a wilderness43
Wherein there is no rest.44
Lord ! stay this hurrying stream of life,45
And check it in its desperate pace !46
Withdraw us from this loveless strife47
To run a better race.48
Where each alike the prize may win,49
Where Victory is not to the strong,50
And they who triumph find therein51
The thing for which they long.52
Then if we fall, or if we stand,53
’Tis Thou alike our steps wilt keep,54
And give, when night is o’er the land,55
To Thy beloved sleep.56
’Till the day break and shadows flee,57
Earth pales, and Heaven is open wide :58
And, waking to Thy likeness, we59
Therein are satisfied.60