FORGOTTEN AMONG THE LILIES

by: Augusta Theodosia Drane (1823-1894)

      HROUGH the dark night I wander on alone,
      And, as one blinded, grope my weary way,
      Without a lamp to shed its guiding ray;
      I wander on unseen, and seeing none,
      And caring to behold but only One.
       
      I see not, yet my heart will give me light,
      And safer than the noonday sun will guide
      To where the Bridegroom waiteth for the Bride;
      So walking on in faith and not by sight,
      I cannot fear but He will guide me right.…
       
      Forgotten ’mid the lilies; for I feel
      Their gentle blossoms wave above my head;
      I breathe the magic perfume which they shed,
      As though my bleeding wounds they fain would heal,
      And from my heart its aching sorrow steal.
       
      A sad, sweet lot--I needs must call it sweet;
      My cares, like withered buds, I cast aside,
      And reck but little what may next betide;
      The days and years fly past on pinions fleet,
      Amid these lilies crushed beneath His feet.
       
      Forgotten and abandoned;--yet withal
      Leaning my heart upon my only Love:
      Nay, raise me not, I do not care to move;
      Soon I shall hear His gentle footstep fall,
      And lift my eyes, and answer to His call.
       
      Till then among the lilies let me lie;
      See, I have cast my idle cares away:
      Howe’er it be, I am content to stay
      Until once more the Bridegroom passes by,
      And hither turns His gracious, pitying eye.
       
      Blame not my folly, for I know full well
      My words can nought but idle babbling seem,
      The madness of a fond and foolish dream:
      Bear with my folly, for the thoughts that swell
      This burning heart, I cannot, dare not tell.
       
      Know only this--I suffer, yet I rest;
      For all my cares and fears are cast away,
      And more than this I know not how to say;
      Forgotten though I be, I own it best
      And ’mid the lilies lie in perfect rest.

"Forgotten among the Lilies" is reprinted from The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse. Ed. Nicholson & Lee. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1917.

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