A wounded spirit stung by sin

A wounded spirit stung by sin,
A dark foreboding of distress,
A conscious load of guilt within,
A shudd'ring at that consciousness;

A secret pang, that e'en with one —
One best beloved — he may not share,
A dream of hope for ever gone, —
"A wounded spirit who can bear?"

The heart may bend beneath the blast
Of earthly sorrow, earthly pain,
And, when the blighting storm hath past,
Unhurt, unscathed may rise again;

Yet tho' it deeply feel, 'twill melt
In tears of joy, if peace be there,
But who that ever yet hath felt
"A wounded spirit, — who can bear?"