George Willis Cooke, comp. The Poets of Transcendentalism: An Anthology. 1903.
PrayerEdnah Dow Littlehale Cheney (18241904)
A
Could I but see the way,
How gladly would I walk
To everlasting day.
I asked the world’s deep law
Before my eyes to ope,
And let me see my prayers fulfilled,
And realized, my hope;
But God was kinder than my prayer,
And mystery veiled me everywhere.
That I might tread the road,
With firm unfaltering pace,
To heaven’s serene abode.
That I might never know
A faltering, failing heart;
But manfully go on
And reach the highest part.
But God was kinder than my prayer,
And weakness checked me everywhere.
Could I but trust my God,
I ’d live in heavenly peace
Though foes were all abroad.
His light thus shining round,
No faltering should I know;
And faith in heaven above
Would make a heaven below;
But God was kinder than my prayer,
And doubts beset me everywhere.
Deep love to God and man;
A love that will not fail,
However dark his plan;
That sees all life in Him,
Rejoicing in his power;
And faithful, though the darkest clouds
Of gloom and doubt may lower.
And God was kinder than my prayer,
Love filled and blessed me everywhere.