160. Acceptation

ESTABLISH in some better way

My life, thou Godhead! that I may

Know it as virtue ranks

To scorn Thy gifts, or give Thee thanks.

For now I feel Thee near, unsought.

But why, when I seemed worth Thy thought,

High—souled, impatient for a task—

Why not have called me then, I ask?

No mountings of the spirit please;

Thou dost accept our dregs and lees;

The wise are they that feel Thy rod,

And grief alone is near to God.