I will not, cannot let Thee go !

I will not, cannot let Thee go!
My God, why dost Thou try me so,
As thus to seem about to leave
A soul Thou never lov'dst to grieve?
Ah no! tho' many cares and griefs oppress me,
"I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me!'

I feel, my God, that I have caught
The Arm that I so long have sought;
And tho' 'tis strong, — yet that will be
My joy, when 'tis outstretch'd for me;
And therefore now, — tho' struggling, it distress me,
"I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me!"

I've toil'd thro' all the weary night,
And, if I hold 'till morning's light,
I know Thou'lt be constrained, Lord,
To yield to Thine own pleaded word,
And " more than conqueror" thro' grace confess me;
'I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me."

'Tis hard to hold Thee, Lord, — but O!
'Twere harder still to let Thee go!
And lose Thy gift of Joy divine,
Just when about to call it mine!
Ah no! tho' many cares and griefs distress me,
"I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me!"