A Hidden Life

I WOULD I WERE A CHILD.

I would I were a child, That I might look, and laugh, and say, My Father! And follow Thee with running feet, or rather

Be led thus through the wild.

How I would hold thy hand! My glad eyes often to thy glory lifting, Which casts all beauteous shadows, ever shifting,

Over this sea and land.

If a dark thing came near, I would but creep within thy mantle's folding, Shut my eyes close, thy hand yet faster holding,

And so forget my fear.

O soul, O soul, rejoice! Thou art God's child indeed, for all thy sinning; A trembling child, yet his, and worth the winning

With gentle eyes and voice.

The words like echoes flow. They are too good; mine I can call them never; Such water drinking once, I should feel ever

As I had drunk but now.

And yet He said it so; 'Twas He who taught our child-lips to say, Father! Like the poor youth He told of, that did gather

His goods to him, and go.

Ah! Thou dost lead me, God; But it is dark; no stars; the way is dreary; Almost I sleep, I am so very weary

Upon this rough hill-road.

Almost! Nay, I do sleep. There is no darkness save in this my dreaming; Thy Fatherhood above, around, is beaming;

Thy hand my hand doth keep.

This torpor one sun-gleam Would break. My soul hath wandered into sleeping; Dream-shades oppress; I call to Thee with weeping,

Wake me from this my dream.

And as a man doth say, Lo! I do dream, yet trembleth as he dreameth; While dim and dream-like his true history seemeth,

Lost in the perished day;

(For heavy, heavy night Long hours denies the day) so this dull sorrow Upon my heart, but half believes a morrow

Will ever bring thy light.

God, art Thou in the room? Come near my bed; oh! draw aside the curtain; A child's heart would say Father, were it certain

That it did not presume.

But if this dreary bond I may not break, help Thou thy helpless sleeper; Resting in Thee, my sleep will sink the deeper,

All evil dreams beyond.

Father! I dare at length. My childhood, thy gift, all my claim in speaking; Sinful, yet hoping, I to Thee come, seeking

Thy tenderness, my strength.