Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Christina Georgina Rossetti 1830–94

From “Monna Innominata.” II. Trust

RossetCG

IF I could trust mine own self with your fate,

Shall I not rather trust it in God’s hand?

Without whose will one lily doth not stand,

Nor sparrow fall at his appointed date;

Who numbereth the innumerable sand,

Who weighs the wind and water with a weight,

To whom the world is neither small nor great,

Whose knowledge foreknew every plan we plann’d.

Searching my heart for all that touches you,

I find there only love and love’s goodwill

Helpless to help and impotent to do,

Of understanding dull, of sight most dim;

And therefore I commend you back to Him

Whose love your love’s capacity can fill.