Resignation Poem by Maria Frances Cecilia Cowper

BE hush'd my tongue, nor murmur or complain;
With pious awe the struggling tear restrain.
Dark is my path and intricate my way,
But God will send the soul-reviving ray:
The chasten'd son he to himself receives,
And, for short woe, eternal sunshine gives;
Eternal sunshine of the blest above,
Whose sole employment is to praise and love.
These let me imitate in humble guise,
Till my unfetter'd soul shall boldly rise,
Releas'd from earth, and join th' angelic throng,
And with their pow'rs the wondrous theme prolong.
O soul-enam'ring sight, where God displays
His beauties infinite to mortal gaze!
How shall the saint cast down his radiant eyes
Upon this grov'ling world; its scenes despise;
With wonder view its once-bewitching toys,
The paltry substitute for real joys!
How chang'd! absorb'd in one eternal light;
Peace without end, and joys for ever bright.
No more in darksome veil of cumbrous clay,
The sin-fraught soul drags the slow hours away,
Pond'ring with Faith's dim eye the sacred road,
The shadow'd mysteries that lead to God:
But clearly seen is all the mazy way,
Dispell'd the mists by Heaven's enlight'ning ray;
There cloudless beams of matchless wisdom shine;
And all the chain of attributes divine,
Through the resplendent throng of angels sung,
Employ for ever each celestial tongue.