Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/278



dog disturbed my trust in Heaven. I praised most faithfully All the great things that be, Man's pain and pleasure even; I said though hard this weighing Of pains and tears and praying, He will reward most just.

I said your bitter weeping, man or maid, Your tears or laughter, Shall gain a just Hereafter; Meet you the will of God then unafraid, Gird you to your trials, for God's abode Is open for all sorrow; Live for the great to-morrow. There passed me on the road

A little dog with hungry eyes, and sad Thin flesh all shivering, All sore and quivering. Whining beneath the fell disease he had I hurried home and praised God as before For thus affording To man rewarding, The dog was whining outside my door.

I flung it wide, and said, Come enter in. Outcast of God. Beneath His rod You suffer sore, poor beast, that had no sin.