A Prayer: For Thos Who Have Friends in "The President."

A Prayer: For Thos Who Have Friends in "The President."

Comes she not? The ship was wont to glide

With bird-like speed athwart the ocean foam.

Floats not her flag upon the distant tide?

Gleam not her white sails through the gray mist's gloom?

In hushed suspense, weeks heavily pass o'er;
She comes not yet - alas! if she should come no more!

How many hearts with sick misgivings faint,

Worn with long watching, pine in lone distress.

Whose tears, held prisoned by love's fond restraint,

Gush forth unchecked in midnight's silentness,

As to their wistful gaze hope's trembling ray
Grows dim and dimmer yet - is fading fast away!

O Lord of sovereign might! before thy throne

They fall, imploring thy protecting power!

O God of truth and love! to thee alone

They turn for strength in this their trial hour

How deep, how keen their anguish, only Thou,
Who knowest all, can tell; support, sustain them now!

Thou know'st the shrinking agony of fear,

That mocks the smiles the lips assume in vain;

Affection's art would hide the stealing tear,

With words of hope disown its writhing pain,

But THOU behold'st the spirit's deep despair,
When in its solitude it pours its wild impassioned prayer.

Alas! their homes are desolate! Some face

Beloved hath vanished from the social hearth -

Some form that charmed it with familiar grace, -

Some tones that gladdened it with music mirth;

O Lord of might! pity their helpless pain,
Bring back their wanderers safely to their arms again!

Our times are in thy hand; in perfect rest

Thou wilt keep him whose mind is stayed on thee;

Calm thou the conflict of each tortured breast;

Their hope, their trust, their consolation be.

Shed thy deep peace upon each care-worn brow;
Be with them, God of love! strengthen, sustain them now.

Unattributed

New Series 2:15, p. 60

1841.06.12

From the Liverpool Standard