Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/290

264  morn awakes our hearts
 * To pour the matin prayer;

When toil-worn day departs,
 * And gives a pause to care;

When those our souls love best
 * Kneel with us, in Thy fear,

To ask Thy peace and rest—
 * O God, our Father, hear!

When worldly snares without,
 * And evil thoughts within,

Stir up some impious doubt,
 * Or lure us back to sin;

When human strength proves frail,
 * And will but half sincere;

When faith begins to fail—
 * O God, our Father, hear!

When in our cup of mirth
 * The drop of trembling falls,

And the frail props of earth
 * Are crumbling round our walls;

When back we gaze with grief,
 * And forward glance with fear,

When faileth man's relief—
 * O God, our Father, hear!