The Hearth Knoweth Its Own Bitterness

Weep yet awhile,—
Weep till that day shall dawn when
thou shalt smile:
Watch till the day
When all save only love shall pass away.

Weep, sick and lonely,
Bow thy heart to tears,
For none shall guess the secret
Of thy griefs and fears.
Weep, till the day dawn,
Refreshing dew:
Weep till the spring:
For genial showers
Bring up the flowers,
And thou shalt sing
In summertime of blossoming.

Heart-sick and silent,
Weep and watch in pain.
Weep for hope perished,
Not to live again:
Weep for love’s hope and fear
And passion vain.
Watch till the day
When all save only love shall pass away.

Then love rejoicing
Shall forget to weep:
Shall hope or fear no more,
Or watch, or sleep,
But only love and cease not,
Deep beyond deep.
Now we sow love in tears,
But then shall reap.

Have patience as the Lord’s own flock of sheep:
Have patience with His love
Who died below, who lives for thee above.