A Prayer Of Old Age

O Lord, I am so used to all the byways Throughout Thy devious world, The little hill-paths, yea, and the great highways Where saints are safely whirled! And there are crooked ways, forbidden pleasures, That lured me with their spell; But there I lingered not, and found no treasures-- Though in the mire I fell.

And now I’m old and worn, and, scarcely seeing The beauties of Thy work, I catch faint glimpses of the shadows fleeing Through valleys in the murk; Yet I can feel my way--my mem’ry guides me; I bear the yoke and smile. I’m used to life, and nothing wounds or chides me; Lord, let me live awhile!

And then, dear Lord, I still can feel the thrilling Of Nature in the Spring-- The uplift of Thy hills, the song-birds trilling, The lyric joy they bring. I’m not too old to see the regal beauty Of moon and stars and sun; Nature can still reveal to me my duty Till my long task is done.

O Lord, to me the pageant is entrancing-- The march of States and Kings! I keenly watch the human race advancing And see Man master Things: From him who read the secret of the thunder And made the lightning kind, Down to this marvel--all the growing wonder Of force controlled by Mind.

And this dear land of ours, the freeman’s Nation! Lord, let me live and see Fulfilment of our fathers’ aspiration, When each man’s really free! When all the strength and skill that move the mountains, And pile up riches great, Shall sweeten patriotism at its fountains And purify the State!

But there are closer ties than these that bind me And make me long to stay And linger in the dusk where Death may find me On Thine own chosen day; There’s one who walks beside me in the gloaming And holds my faltering hand-- Without her guidance I can make no homing In any distant land.

Some day when we are tired, like children playing, And wearied drop our toys-- When all the work and burden of our staying Has mingled with our joys-- With those we love around--our eyelids drooping, Too spent with toil to weep-- Like some kind nurse o’er drowsy children stooping, Lord, take us home to sleep!