The morning breaks, my heart awakes, And many thoughts come crowding o'er me,-- What hopes or fears, what smiles or tears Are waiting in that path before me? Am I to roam afar from home, By Babel's streams, in gloom despondent? On sorrow's tree must my harp be To grief's sad gusts alone respondent? The mists hang dank, on front and flank, My straining eye can naught discover; But well I know that many a foe Around that narrow path doth hover. Nor this alone would make me groan,-- Alas, a traitor dwells within me; With hollow smile and heart of guile The world without, too, plots to win me. Thus I'm beset with foes, and yet I would not miss a single danger: Each foe's a friend that makes me wend My homeward way,--on earth a stranger. For never haze dims _upward_ gaze,-- Oh, glorious sight! for there above me Upon God's throne there sitteth One Who died to save--who lives to love me! And like the dew each dayspring new That tender love shall onward lead me: My thirst shall slake, yet thirst awake Till every breath shall pant:--"I need Thee." No wisdom give; I'd rather live In conscious lack dependent on Thee: Each parting way I meet this day Then proves my claim to call upon Thee. No strength I ask, for Thine the task To bear Thine own on Shepherd-shoulder. Then Faith may boast when helpless most, And greater need make weakness bolder. Then Lord, thy breast is, too, my rest; And there, as in my home, I'm hidden,-- Where quiet peace makes groanings cease, And Zion's songs gush forth unbidden. Yes, e'en on earth may song have birth, And music rise o'er Nature's groanings,-- Whilst Hope new born each springing morn Dispel with joy my faithless moanings. CHAPTER VIII. Still continues the praise of "wisdom." For if, as the last verses of the previous chapters have shown, there be but very few that walk in her paths, she necessarily lifts those few far above the thoughtless mass of men; placing her distinguishing touch even on the features of her disciples, lighting them up with intelligence, and taking away the rudeness and pride that may be natural to them. "Man's wisdom lighteth up his face--its aspect stern is changed."