A Picture of Patience

A Picture of Patience

A gentle, holy quiet rests

Upon her heavenly face,

And on her forehead, fair and smooth,

Dwells not an angry trace!

No wrinkle there of discontent,

Or anxious care is seen;

But peace sits smiling on that brow,

All polished and serene.

The downcast eye of guilt or wo,

Shades not those features fair:

But heavenward is that vision raised,

And meekness triumphs there!

A pure white robe enfolds her breast,

The peaceful Spirit's throne;

Whose "still small voice" the Prophet heard

In Horeb's Mount alone.

Wherever God doth deign to dwell,

There is his daughter found;

Her name is Patience! and her smile

Sheds calmness all around;

And when the Holy Spirit's wing

To earth in mercy bends,

'Tis when meek Patience is a guest,

This messenger descends.

Companions, they together move,

And lead the troubled soul

To verdant pastures, where beside

The peaceful waters roll:

And when they pause, a savor sweet,

E'en such as angels leave,

Remains within each tranquil breast,

Which doth these guests receive.

Such, then, is Patience - heaven-born maid!

Who would a stranger be,

In this tumultuous world of wo,

To such a friend as thee?

It is thro' Patience to the end

The Christian can endure:

Thro' patience, doth his soul at length

The promised rest secure.

Patience in God's own bosom dwells,

And stays, by love, the hand,

Which Justice raiseth oft in wrath,

To scourge a guilty land!

And let man's passions hush to peace,

Before her gentler reign:

And what kind Heaven bestows on him,

Give back to God again.

Come then, in robe of spotless white,

Daughter of Heaven, be mine!

And lend thy calm, enduring smile,

Upon my brow to shine!

Then let a world of blessings flee,

If Patience yet will stay,

And bid me still unmurmuring wait,

To claim the promised day.

Versified From Tertullian, by Mrs. E. C. Stedman (Elizabeth Clementine Stedman)

New Series 2:30, p. 120

1841.09.25

Verified from Tertullian