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:
- Howeer 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. |
MORE POEMS BY AUGUSTA THEODOSIA DRANE |
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