Hope

Ah! Hannah, why should'st thou despair,
Quick to the Tabernacle speed;
There on thy knees prefer thy pray'r,
And there thy cause to mercy plead.

Her pious breathings now ascend,
As from her heart the sighs she heaves;
And angels to her suit attend,
Till strong in hope she now conceives.

Then Samuel soon was brought to light
To serve the Lord, as yet a child —
O what a heart — reviving sight!
Sure Cherubims and Seraphs smil'd.

Thus yet a child may I begin,
To serve the Lord with all my heart;
To shun the wily lures of sin,
And claim the prize, or e're I start.