Page:Poems Cook.djvu/136

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I THANK THEE, GOD!
Did ribs more firm and fast
Ere meet the shot or blast
Than the gallant barks that glide
On its full and steady tide?
Would ye seek a dauntless crew,
With hearts to dare and hands to do?
You'll find the foe proclaims
They are cradled on the Thames;
  The Thames the mighty Thames!

They say the mountain child
Oft loves its torrent wild
So well, that should he part
He breaks his pining heart;
He grieves with smother'd sighs
Till his wearying spirit dies;
And so I yearn to thee,
Thou river of the free,
  My own, my native Thames!


I THANK THEE, GOD! FOR WEAL AND WOE.
I thank Thee, God! for all I've known
Of kindly fortune, health, and joy;
And quite as gratefully I own
The bitter drops of life's alloy.

Oh! there was wisdom in the blow
That wrung the sad and scalding tear;
That laid my dearest idol low,
And left my bosom lone and drear.

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