POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2681, 9 November 1882, Page 3

POETRY.

E’VE ALWAYS BEEN PROVIDED FOR. ‘ Good wife, what are you singing for F You . know we’ve lost the hay. And what we’ll do with horse and kye is more than I can say ; While like at not, with storm and rain, we’ll lose both com and wheat.” She looked up with a pleasant face, and answered low and sweet: “ There is a Heart, there is a Hand, we feel, but cannot see; We’ve always been provided for, and we shall always be.” He turned around with sudden gloom. She said : “ Love, be at rest. You cut th« grass w*rked soon and late, yon did your very best. That was your work; you’ve nought at all to do with wind and rain. And do not trouble, but you will reap rich fields of golden grain ; For there’s a Heart, andthere’sa Hand, we feel, but cannot see; We’ve always been provided for, and we shall always be.” “ That’s like a woman’s reasoning—we must, because we must.” She softly said, ‘ 1 I reason not; I only work and trust; The harvest may redeem the day—keep heart whate’er betide: When one door shuts. I’ve always seen, another open wide. There is a Heart, there is a Hand, we feci, but cannot see ; We’ve always been provided for, and we shall always be.” He kissed the calm and trustful face ; gone was his restless pain. She heard him with a cheerful step go whistling down the lane. And went about her household tasks full of a glad content. Singing to time her busy hands as to and fro she went; “ There is a Heart, there is a Hand, we feel, but cannot see; We’ve always been provided for, and we shall always be.” Days come and go—’twas Christmas-tide, and the great fire burned clear. The farmer said, " Dear wife, it’s been a good and happy year; The fruit was gain, the surplus corn has bought the hay, you know.” She lifted then a smiling face, and said, “ I told you so! For there’s a Heart, and there’s a Hand, we feel, but cannot see ; We’ve always been provided for, and wo shall always be,” LIVE IT DOWN. “ There is a future for all who have the virtue to repent and the energy to atone.” Bulwer-Lytton. Yes, your fault has blurred your name ; Such disgrace is bard to bear ; Yet for you there is an aim. Which should be your constant care— You must learn to live it down. True, the cloud is pall; Error ever weaves such things ; But the sky is over all; Morn lias light upon its wings. If you only live it down. Yes, I know men look askance. Dreading any pitch to touch ; Women, with a wondering glance. Pear to pity overmuch ; StiU, I tell you—live it down. Patient be ; with spirit meek. Bear rebuffs a little while while. Till true friends shall kindly speak. Meeting you with sunny smile. Seeing you can live it down. Labor ! Oh, the worth of work. Chasing hitter thoughts away ! Never any duty shirk Which arises day by day ! That is how to live it down. Ask forgiveness—and forgive. Yet indulge not memories dark ; For you still may nobly live. Though for once you missed the mart — If you strive to live it down. ’Tis not easy. That I own ; What is easy that has worth ? Life is struggle, hid or kuown. Even from the hour of birth; Yours the task to live it down. * I have cheered you. That is well. You will ponder on my words — So you say ; and I can toll They have touched some answering chords. Yes, I know you’ll live it down. Till tho wrong may be forgot. Or remembered only be Like a half-erased blot. Which men do not care to see —• Then indeed you’ve lived it down ! —“ Chambers’s Journal.