Hence, all ye sombre signs of grief!
Ye must not dwell with me;
Though to indulge would give relief,
I must not selfish be.
I charge thee, O! thou quiv’ring lip!
To settle to a smile;
And let thy cheerful fellowship
My lonely heart beguile.
I’ll strive with all my heart, to bless
Each sufferer I see;
The widow and the fatherless
Shall learn to pray for me.
I’ll ne’er forget how loved ones watch
For every smile or tear;
Nor how their eager faces catch
The look my features wear.
They shall not hear my grief express’d,
They shall not see me weep;
But every sorrow in my breast
Shall there lie, buried deep.
This is my task, and I will still
Bear on my broken heart;
If God will give me strength awhile,
I’ll nobly do my part.