To a Friend in Trouble

If when the tender sympathizing sigh
Swells the full heart, or melts the pitying eye,
The soft compassion could convey relief,
This heart should lessen, while it shar'd your grief.
Unchecked the sigh should rise, the sorrow flow,
And pleasure mingle with the kindred woe.
But this is vain, 'tis not in nature's pow'r
To cheer, with lightsome rays, the gloomy hour.
The soothing voice of friendship may beguile
Our cares, and sorrow wear a transient smile.
Poor solace; soon the spreading gloom returns,
The heart that fain would comfort, only mourns.
Ah, wretched state! must friendship ever share,
Yet never hope to ease the load of care,
Partake the anguish of infectious grief,
And wish, in vain, to bring a kind relief?
Ah, wretched state! each aching heart replies,
Till fainting, dying, hope begins to rise:
Hope, heav'n-born comforter, with cheerful air,
Sheds her kind lustre o'er the scenes of care;
Her gentle whisper calms the rising sigh,
And weeping sorrow lifts her tearful eye;
Nor lifts in vain, at his supreme command,
Who holds our welfare in his gracious hand:
His gracious hand alone has pow'r to heal,
Who pities, while he deals the pains we feel.
The springs of life are his; and cares and pains
Fulfil whate'er his sacred will ordains.
He knows what most we need: when skill divine
Presents a bitter draught, shall we repine?
While mercy mingles all with lenient art,
To ease the anguish of the throbbing heart.
The steps of providence, though we in vain
Attempt to trace, while clouds o'erspread the scene:
Its dealings all are just, and wise, and kind;
Our lesson this — « Be humble and resign'd!"
Through wild and thorny paths, our journey lies,
And darkness terrifies, and dangers rise.
O may our heav'nly Father's guardian care,
Preserve our steps from ev'ry fatal snare:
Be his almighty arm our guide, our stay,
Through all the toils and terrors of the way.
No dangers can affright if God is near,
A present God can banish ev'ry fear;
His gracious smile can make the darkness fly,
Smooth all the road, and brighten all the sky.
"He is our sun:" his soul-reviving light,
Alone, can chase the horrors of the night.
"He is our shield:" when darts fly thick around,
They fall repell'd, and fix no deadly wound.
Our God, our Guide! O may we never stray,
But trust his care, and keep the heav'nly way;
Till safe we reach the happy seats of peace,
And darkness, grief, and pain, and danger cease.