Sorrow

Count each affliction, whether light or grave, God’s messenger sent down to thee; do thou With courtesy receive him; rise and bow; And, ere his shadow pass thy threshold, crave Permission first His heavenly feet to lave; Then lay before Him all thou hast; allow No cloud or passion to usurp thy brow, Or mar thy hospitality; no wave Of mortal tumult to obliterate Thy soul’s marmoreal calmness. Grief should be Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate; Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free; Strong to consume small troubles; to commend Great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.