O for the peace that floweth as a river,

Making life’s desert places bloom and smile;

O for that faith to grasp the glad For ever,

Amid the shadows of earth’s Little While!

2 A little while for patient vigil keeping,

To face the storm, to wrestle with the strong;

A little while to sow the seed with weeping,

Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest-song.

3 A little while to wear the vail of sadness,

To toil with weary step through miry ways,

Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness,

And clasp the girdle round the robe of Praise!

4 A little while, ’mid shadow and illusion,

To strive by faith love’s mysteries to spell,

Then read each dark enigma’s bright solution,

Then hail sight’s verdict—He doth all things well.

5 And he who is himself the Gift and Giver,

The future glory and the present smile,

With the bright promise of the glad For ever,

Will light the shadows of earth’s Little While.