Classic Poem

——Since, Lord, to Thee
—A narrow way and little gate
Is all the passage, on my infancy
—Thou didst lay hold, and antedate
——My faith in me.

——O, let me still
—Write Thee “great God,” and me “a child”;
Let me be soft and supple to Thy will,
—Small to myself, to others mild,
——Behither ill.

——Although by stealth
—My flesh get on; yet let her sister,
My soul, bid nothing, but preserve her wealth:
—The growth of flesh is but a blister;
——Childhood is health.