September 15

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.

THOUGH all great deeds were proved but fables fine, Though earth's old story could be told anew,

Though the sweet fashions loved of them that sue Were empty as the ruined Delphian shrine—

Though God did never man, in words benign

With sense of His great Fatherhood endue,

Though life immortal were a dream untrue,

And He that promised it were not divine—

Though soul, though spirit were not, and all hope

Reaching beyond the bourne, melted away;

Though virtue had no goal and good no scope,

But both were doomed to end with this our clay—

Though all these were not,—to the ungraced heir

Would this remain,—to live as though they were.

JEAN

INGELOW

JOY IN GOD