W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
I will arise and go to my Father
Walter Chalmers Smith (18241908)I
Sad as sinful heart could be;
Drifting helpless, without anchor,
Far upon a stormy sea,
To the dark shores and the shipwreck,
Plainly that awaited me.
Breaking all its loving ties,
And the swine’s husk I had eaten
That no spirit satisfies;
I had hewed out broken cisterns,
Fled to refuges of lies.
Friends were fickle and unkind,
Youth like sheep among the briars,
Which the briars have entwined
But to rob the tender fleeces,
And to close the path behind.
Had no pity for His child,
That He cared no more for sinners
Suffering, sorrowing and beguiled;
And my heart grew hard, despairing;
And my way was more defiled.
“Come and I will give you rest;”
And I rose, and went desponding,
And my sinful ways confessed;
And the Father I had slighted
Drew me fondly to His breast.
“Now the lost is found again!”
O the wonder and the gladness
Overcoming like a pain!
Let Thy faithful love, O Father,
My faithless fainting heart sustain.