Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903.
By Dora Greenwell (1821–1882)One Friend
| SAID a sick and lonely child, | |
| “Often have I tired of thee, | |
| Tired of all thy answers mild, | |
| Heard so oft, so wearily; | |
| Wilt thou never tire of me, | 5 |
| Gentle Patience? Now look forth | |
| From our window looking north, | |
| And tell us where the others play, | |
| All this long, warm summer day.” | |
| “Love is standing in the sun, | 10 |
| Joy and Beauty at his side, | |
| Now in one their shadows run. | |
| Hope has sent an arrow wide; | |
| Shading from his brow the light, | |
| Now I see him watch its flight.” | 15 |
| “Oh, that they would look this way, | |
| Oh, that to this quiet room | |
| They would come awhile to play! | |
| See my rose-tree all in bloom, | |
| See the flowers I dried last spring; | 20 |
| Hear my little linnet sing | |
| In his cage! they need not stay | |
| Longer than they please!” The child | |
| Patience soothed with answer mild. | |