The Way

NELSON DREXEL FRISBY

Except your pen should gild a thought with beauty;
Except your soul should sing within your song;
Excepting that your inmost sense of duty
Should strive the tone of goodness to prolong;
Excepting, in a word, your heart's desire
Were honestly to give the world its due,
Far better, heart, to quench the hidden fire,
Than, speaking, thus bring more of ill to view.

For tenderness the famished world is crying,
And long has sought for comfort in the clod;
While unaware that all its tears and sighing
Were token of its lack of faith in God.
In Him alone is infinite compassion;
And His exhaustless bounty is for all.
Yet how can earth receive, except the fashion
Of idol-worship cease: then list His call!

Then speak the word that clears the darkened vision
Of tear-dimmed eyes, and see the source of good:
Oh, speak as his disciple, whose great mission
It was to tell of God's own fatherhood;
Nor strive to break earth's idols in the manner
Of one who rides the hurricane of will;
But, loyally upholding heaven's banner,
Oh, speak as he who bade the storm "be still."

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