Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By The Rivulet (1871). III. Gracious SpiritThomas Toke Lynch (18181871)
G
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would Thy life in mine reveal;
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.
I myself would truthful be;
And with wisdom kind and clear
Let Thy life in mine appear;
And with actions brotherly
Speak my Lord’s sincerity.
I myself would tender be;
Shut my heart up like a flower
At temptation’s darksome hour;
Open it when shines the sun,
And His love by fragrance own.
I myself would quiet be,
Quiet as the growing blade
Which through earth its way has made;
Silently, like morning light,
Putting mists and chills to flight.
I myself would mighty be,
Mighty so as to prevail
Where unaided man must fail;
Ever by a mighty hope
Pressing on and bearing up.
I myself would holy be;
Separate from sin, I would
Choose and cherish all things good;
And whatever I can be
Give to Him who gave me Thee.