Now and Afterwards by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Now and Afterwards
by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

“Two hands upon the breast, and labor is past.”
RUSSIAN PROVERB.

“TWO hands upon the breast,
And labor’s done;
Two pale feet crossed in rest,—
The race is won;
Two eyes with coin-weights shut,
And all tears cease;
Two lips where grief is mute,
Anger at peace:”
So pray we oftentimes, mourning our lot;
God in his kindness answereth not.

“TWO hands to work addressed
Aye for his praise;
Two feet that never rest
Walking his ways;
Two eyes that look above
Through all their tears;
Two lips still breathing love,
Not wrath, nor fears:”
So pray we afterwards, low on our knees.
Pardon those erring prayers; Father, hear these!