Classic Poem

Not always through the meadows fair and wide,
In peaceful valley and by sunlit sea,
Not always where the quiet waters glide,
He leadeth me.

Nay, oft the paths are perilous and steep;
Nay, oft below the waves beat angrily;
Nay, oft through shadows where I pausing weep
He leadeth me.

Once, all the days in merriment went by,
And all the nights in idle revelry;
I lived to laugh, and, laughing, mocked the cry —
" He leadeth me! "

" O sweet, sweet wealth of life! " I woke to say,
And bound my girdle for the rounds of glee;
And would not heed Him pleading in the way,
Who leadeth me.

The morning shadows fled across the plain,
The noontide burned, my feet sank wearily;
He turned and left me blinded in my pain,
Who leadeth me.

All day upon the withered earth I lay, —
O cruel Earth, that erst so kind could be! —
And scarce I heard the whispered message say,
" He leadeth me. "

All day the sun consumed me with his flame, —
O hateful sun, once beautiful to see! —
Upon my burning brow the impress came:
" He leadeth me. "

I saw it on the grasses bowed and bent,
And in the lightnings flashing angrily,
And on the storm-clouds black and thunder-rent:
" He leadeth me. "

" O thou Supreme! " I said, " on sea and land,
Whose mighty face for shame I may not see,
Vouchsafe but this: one pressure of the hand
That leadeth me! "

And softly through the gloom it clasped my own,
And raised me gently to my bended knee;
I rose, and saw the halo from Him thrown,
Who leadeth me.

And now, though in the desert waste I go,
Or through the storm, or on the pitiless sea,
I fear nor foe nor pain; for well I know
He leadeth me

And so I feel, my trembling hand in his,
It is but well where'er my life may be;
If present glories fade, to greater bliss
He leadeth me.