Hast cared for me, spite of all my sins!—
[Draws a deep breath.
What a marvellous feeling of safety and peace
It gives one to know oneself specially shielded!
But the desert! What about food and drink?
Oh, something I'm sure to find. <g>He'll</g> see to that.
There's no cause for alarm;—
[Loud and insinuatingly.
<g>He</g> would never allow
A poor little sparrow like me to perish!
Be but lowly of spirit. And give him time.
Leave it all in the Lord's hands; and don't be cast down.— [With a start of terror.
Can that be a lion that growled in the reeds?
[His teeth chattering.
No, it wasn't a lion. [Mustering up courage.
A lion, forsooth!
Those beasts, they'll take care to keep out of the way.
They know it's no joke to fall foul of their betters.
They have instinct to guide them;—they feel, what's a fact,
That it's dangerous playing with elephants.—
But all the same. I must find a tree.
There's a grove of acacias and palms over there;
If I once can climb up, I'll be sheltered and safe,—
Most of all if I knew but a psalm or two.
[Clambers up.
Morning and evening are not alike;
That text has been oft enough weighed and pondered. [Seats himself comfortably.
How blissful to feel so uplifted in spirit!
To think nobly is more than to know oneself rich.
Only trust in him. He knows well what share
Of the chalice of need I can bear to drain.
