A Mother's Lament For An Only One

(CLARISSA HARLOW)     Seek not to calm my grief,         To stay the falling tear;     Have pity on me, ye my friends,         The hand of God is here.     She was my only one,         Oh, then my love how great!     Now she is gone, my heart and home         Are empty desolate     I thought not, in my love         That we were doomed to part,     Now I am childless, and my fate         Falls heavy on my heart     O Thou who gave the gift,         Who took the gift away,     Who only can heal up the wound,         Give answer while I pray!     Do Thou send comfort down,         All goodness as Thou art,     Even in Thy last passion, Thou         Didst soothe a mother's heart.     I would not take her back,         From Thee, from Heaven and bliss,     Though yearning for her twining arms,         And happy loving kiss     I miss her bounding step,         Her voice of bird like glee,     Yet thank Thee I had such a child         To give her back to Thee     Father, my child! my child,         Is laid beneath the sod!     and, oh! with quivering lips I try         To kiss the chastening rod     Father, Thy will be done         Oh make my will the same!     And teach me in this trying hour,         To glorify Thy name.