Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | V. Death and Bereavement | | Now and Afterwards | | Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (1826–1887) |
| | | | “Two hands upon the breast, and labor is past.” |
| —RUSSIAN PROVERB. |
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“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, | 5 |
| 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. | 10 |
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| “Two hands to work addrest | |
| Aye for his praise; | |
| Two feet that never rest | |
| Walking his ways; | |
| Two eyes that look above | 15 |
| 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! | 20 | | |
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