Dedication
Dedicated
TO
MY FIRST LOVE, MY MOTHER
Part I. Indoors
The Long View
Some day of days! Some dawning yet to be
I shall be clothed with immortality!
And, in that day, I shall not greatly care
That Jane spilt candle grease upon the stair.
It will not grieve me then, as once it did,
That careless hands have chipped my teapot lid.
I groan, being burdened. But, in that glad day,
I shall forget vexations of the way.
That needs were often great, when means were small,
Will not perplex me any more at all
A few short years at most (it may be less),
I shall have done with earthly storm and stress.
So, for this day, I lay me at Thy feet.
O, keep me sweet, my Master! Keep me sweet!