C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Of Providence

JUST as a mother, with sweet pious face,

Turns towards her little children from her seat,

Gives one a kiss, another an embrace,

Takes this upon her knees, that on her feet;

And while from actions, looks, complaints, pretenses,

She learns their feelings and their various will,

To this a look, to that a word dispenses,

And whether stern or smiling, loves them still;—

So Providence for us, high, infinite,

Makes our necessities its watchful task,

Hearkens to all our prayers, helps all our wants:

And even if it denies what seems our right,

Either denies because ’twould have us ask,

Or seems but to deny, or in denying grants.