When all the earth was quaking,
And seas in maddest roll,
And Heaven itself forsaking,
I found thee, O my soul! When once I stood forgotten,
With naught to lose or spend,
Faithful among the faithless
I knew thee, O my friend! And when no friend was with me,
And grief my heart o'ercame,
I met the midnight angel,
And learned the secret name. Earth closed her bars about me,
I looked for no release,
Yet from that depth of sorrow
I brought the pearl of peace. And when, in fiercest struggles,
My soul is whelmed and whirled
Beneath the curse of ages,
The burden of the world-- Then even by pity's heartbreak
I measured mercy's scope;
Who knows the deeper anguish
Must claim the greater hope. Whom seekest thou in heaven?
He hides in every cloud;
He stoops beside the fallen,
He lifteth up the bowed. He sits and smiles at pleasure,
But O, He runs to grief;
His mightiness is gentle,
Past hope and past belief. The cup of death He giveth
Foams bitter at the brim;
But drink--thine eyes are lightened
At last to look on Him.