Alone

Alone, alone!--the night is very silent, Voiceless the stars are, and the pallid moon Through the unknown sends down no tone, no utt'rance To break the hush of midnight's solemn noon! I stretch my arms toward the unanswering heavens, 'Tis empty space,--no form, no shape is here! I call,--no answer to my cry is given, Powerless my voice falls on Night's leaden ear!

Alone, alone!--I thought the dead were near me,-- The holy dead. E'en now, methought I heard Low tones whose music long ago did cheer me, That shadowy hands the parting branches stirred 'Twas but the night wind's mournful sigh above me,-- 'Twas but the lonely streamlet's grieving tone, No voice comes back from those who once did love me,-- No white hand beckons--I am all alone!

Alone?--not so! One sacred, unseen Presence Fills the far depths, broods round me and above, Enfolding all in His own Omnipresence, Pervading all with His unstinted love, In Him I live, and move, and have my being, My soul's deep yearnings all to Him are known, On me in kindness rests His eye all seeing, His arm upholds me,--I am not alone!