Classic Poem

BY FRANCIS DAVISON .

Usque quo, Domine, etc.

I.

Lord, how long, how long wilt thou
Quite forget, and quite neglect me?
How long, with a frowning brow,
Wilt thou from thy sight reject me?

II.

How long shall I seek a way
Forth this maze of thoughts perplexed,
Where my grieved mind, night and day,
Is with thinking tired and vexed?
How long shall my scornful foe,
On my fall his greatness placing,
Build upon my overthrow,
And be graced by my disgracing?

III.

Hear, oh Lord and God, my cries;
Mark my foes' unjust abusing;
And illuminate mine eyes,
Heavenly beams in them infusing:
Lest my woes, too great to bear,
And too infinite to number,
Rock me soon, 'twixt hope and fear,
Into Death's eternal slumber.

IV.

Lest my foes their boasting make,
Spite of right, on him we trample;
And a pride in mischief take,
Heartened by my sad example.

V.

As for me, I'll ride secure
At thy mercy's sacred anchor:
And undaunted, will endure
Fiercest storms of wrong and rancour.

VI.

These black clouds will overblow;
Sunshine shall have his returning;
And my grief-dulled heart, I know,
Into mirth shall change his mourning.
Therefore I'll rejoice, and sing
Hymns to God, in sacred measure,
Who to happy pass will bring
My just hopes, at his good pleasure.