The Poetry of South Africa

Good Hope

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we would but dare and do;
If we would but stand with ready hand
  To grasp ere the blessings go.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we would but stay life-streams,
Which will past us flow while we, too slow,
  Stand rapt on the bank in dreams.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we would but cease to hope
That the rain will drop and bring a crop
  While we idly sit and mope.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we work, e’en while we wait
For the sun and rain to ripen grain
  We have sown, then left to fate.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we use each heav’n-sent gift
As means to an end, and do not spend
  Our best without care and thrift.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we live and struggle still
To a better life, through toil and strife,
  With a stout heart and strong will.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If our faith be active trust,
And not blind belief, which, at each grief,
  Still mourns that what must be, must.

“Good Hope” for this good land yet,
  If we would but trust in God,
And the Christ, who came and took our name
  To bless, not to turn the sod.

          William Rodger Thomson.