December 24

With the wind of Tribulation God separates, on the Threshing-floor of the soul, the Chaff from the Corn.

COUNT each affliction, whether light or grave, God's messenger sent down to thee: Do thou

With courtesy receive him; rise and bow

And, ere his shadow pass thy threshold, crave

Permission first his heavenly feet to lave;

Then lay before him all thou hast: allow

No cloud of passion to usurp thy brow,

Or mar thy hospitality; no wave

Of mortal tumult to obliterate

The soul's marmoreal calmness: Grief should be

Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate;

Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free;

Strong to consume small troubles; to commend

Great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.

AUBREY DE VERE

SORROW