When first I stood upon this rocky ledge,
Beneath whose brink the frenzied waters toil,
And, eager leaning from the dizzy edge,
Gazed breathless in the caldron where they boil;
Love held my hand, and bade me nothing fear,
For life, and youth, and joy, and hope, were mine,
And death and horror could not come me near,
I was so compassed with their arms divine.
O God! how full of happiness I stood!
Looking into the eyes that were my day,
And felt my soul, borne like that rushing flood,
In eddying tumults of delight away.
When next I came unto this water's brink,
A devil dragged me ruthless towards the wave,
And bowed my head, and bade me plunge, and sink,
And thrust me downwards to that hideous grave;
Crying, "Go down into that clamorous death,
That leaps, and rolls, and roars, to swallow thee!
For what hast thou to do with living breath,
Who hast outlived all life but agony?"
O God! how full of misery I lay!
On the grim margin of that dreary well,
Of love, and hope, wretchedest castaway,
Longing in nothingness thenceforth to dwell.
But I have lived to come and stand again
On the wild torrent's brim, with soul serene,
And watch the foaming amber pour amain
Down the steep chasm its glorious golden sheen.
And by my side Heaven's holy angel stood,
And in my heart the peace of Heaven shone,
And as I gazed on the fair, fearful flood,
My spirit sought the footstool of God's throne:
O God! be blest that all thy floods have gone
Over my head!that bitterness is past
O God! be praised that though I stand alone,
I stand upon thy steadfast rock at last!
Dear God! be thanked that thou hast let me live
On till this hour of holiest influence mild,
And healed my heart, and saved my soul alive,
And as thine angel given me back my child!
