A Reverie (Lawson)

Stern duty calls and I, alas, Must her behest obey. Must now with strength my will compass, Nor wavering thought betray.

It is, it must be fate's decree, That while I sojourn here, To be my lot to turn and flee From all my heart holds dear.

To pass with cold averted eyes, The hand I fain would clasp, And shun the thing my soul would prize At last within my grasp.

Why did I choose this life of pain? Why do I live it still? Why drink the dregs, and then again My cup of sorrow fill?

I do not know, I cannot tell. Nor why along the road When from my back the burden fell I took again the load.

I think I love the life of pain That God has given to me. For I would live it o'er again If such a thing could be.

The sorrows that have come to me  Have taught me how to find The souls in need of sympathy, The wrecked among mankind.

My loss has been a blessed gain For I have learnt to know, That oft a simple woman's pain May heal a nation's woe.