Absence

In My Solitary Hours in My Dear Husband, His Absence

Anne Bradstreet

O Lord, Thou hear'st my daily moan

  And see'st my dropping tears.

My troubles all are Thee before,

  My longings and my fears.

Thou hitherto hast been my God;

  Thy help my soul hath found.

Though loss and sickness me assailed,

  Through Thee I've kept my ground.

And Thy abode Thou'st made with me;

  With Thee my soul can talk;

In secret places thee I find

  where I do kneel or walk.

Though husband dear be from me gone,

  Whom I do love so well,

I have a more beloved one

  Whose comforts far excel.

O stay my heart on Thee, my God,

  Uphold my fainting soul,

And when I know not what to do,

  I'll on Thy mercies roll.

My weakness, Thou dost know full well

  Of body and of mind;

I in this world no comfort have,

  But what from Thee I find.

Though children Thou has given me,

  And friends I have also,

Yet if I see Thee not through them,

  They are no joy, but woe.

O shine upon me, blessed Lord,

  Ev'n for my Saviour's sake;

In Thee alone is more than all,

  And there content I'll take.

O hear me, Lord in this request

  As Thou before hast done,

Bring back my husband, I beseech,

  As Thou didst once my son.

So shall I celebrate Thy praise

  Ev'n while my days shall last

And talk to my beloved one

  Of all Thy goodness past.

So both of us Thy kindness, Lord,

  With praises shall recount

And serve Thee better than before

  Whose blessings thus surmount.

But give, Lord, a better heart,

  Then better shall I be,

To pay the vows which I do owe

  Forever unto Thee.

Unless Thou help, what can I do

  But still my frailty show?

If Thou assist me, Lord, I shall

  Return Thee what I owe.