Winter: A Dirge
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he wintry west extends his blast,And hail and rain does blaw;Or the stormy north sends driving forthThe blinding sleet and snaw:While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,And roars frae bank to brae;And bird and beast in covert rest,And pass the heartless day. “The sweeping blast, the sky o’ercast,”The joyless winter dayLet others fear, to me more dearThan all the pride of May:The tempest’s howl, it soothes my soul,My griefs it seems to join;The leafless trees my fancy please,Their fate resembles mine! Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty schemeThese woes of mine fulfil,Here firm I rest; they must be best,Because they are Thy will!Then all I want—O do Thou grantThis one request of mine!—Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,Assist me to resign. Prayer, Under The Pressure Of Violent Anguish O Thou Great Being! what Thou art,Surpasses me to know;Yet sure I am, that known to TheeAre all Thy works below. Thy creature here before Thee stands,All wretched and distrest;Yet sure those ills that wring my soulObey Thy high behest. Sure, Thou, Almighty, canst not actFrom cruelty or wrath!O, free my weary eyes from tears,Or close them fast in death! But, if I must afflicted be,To suit some wise design,Then man my soul with firm resolves,To bear and not repine!
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