You are my own: Be it not forgotten,

I am the penalty sin did earn!...

O man, time's guest!

With my grasp, I reach thee,

From east to west,

And by voices, teach thee

With scripture's word in the Master's name,

From air and water and earth and flame.

[Pg 18]

You build and dwell like the sparrows, building,

In sunny summer, their fragile nest:

Securely feeling, in shady shielding,

They sing so joyful in happy rest;

But sudden gust

Of the tempest shatters

The tiny crust

Of their nest in tatters—

The merry song, heard so short before,

With grief is silenced forevermore.

[Pg 19]

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