Lament, unhappy heart, lament!

Since God refuses still

To hear thy prayer, some discontent

Unknown must cool His will.

Doubtless thy heavenly Father could

Give all thy suit does move;

For He is power and sure He would

Give all; for He is Love.

Go then the secret cause explore,

Go search thy inmost soul:

Let earth divide thy care no more,

Since heaven requires the whole.

Ha! what do I here written see?

It tells me “Yesterday

Cold I preferr’d my careless plea,

And only seem’d to pray.”

But stay—What read I written there?

“Something I would have done;

His Spirit moved me to forbear,

Yet boldly I went on.”

Then bend once more thy knees and pray,

Once more lift up thy voice:

Seek pardon first; and God will say,

“Again, glad heart, rejoice.”