Poems (Craik)/Now and Afterwards

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Poems
by Dinah Maria Craik
Now and Afterwards
4506970Poems — Now and AfterwardsDinah Maria Craik

NOW AND AFTERWARDS.
"Two hands upon the breast and labor is past."
Russian Proverb.

TWO hands upon the breast,
And labor 's done;
Two pale feet crossed in rest—
The race is won;
Two eyes with coin-weights shut,
And all tears cease;
Two lips where grief is mute,
Anger at peace";—
So pray we oftentimes, mourning our lot
God in his kindness answereth not.

"Two hands to work addrest
Aye for His praise;
Two feet that never rest
Walking His ways;
Two eyes that look above
Through all their tears;
Two lips still breathing love,
Not wrath, nor fears";
So pray we afterwards, low on our knees;
Pardon those erring prayers! Father, hear these!