November

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice. Psalm 5:11.     November is so drear and chill     Whilst making leafless branch and tree,     Whilst sweeping over vale and hill     With all her doleful minstrelsy.     November wails the summer's death     In such a melancholy voice,     She has a withering, blighting breath;     She does not bid the heart rejoice.     Yet why repine, thou stricken one?     Grief is the common fate of all.     This the refrain beneath the sun:     Mortals must die, and leaves must fall.     They'll live again, the leaves and flowers,     When spring returns to bless the earth;     They'll waken 'neath her sunny hours     Through nature's touch to beauteous birth.     Hope in decay and do not moan     That God has taken one we love:     Why should our hearts be turned to stone     When he is safe in heaven above?     Redeemed through Christ, who was his trust,     With him in realms of joy on high;     For though down here "'tis dust to dust,"     The Christian lives beyond the sky.     Then in the autumn's woe rejoice,     Rejoice in calm, rejoice in storm;     In either hear God's tender voice,     For both his holy will perform.