Poems (Elgee, 1907)/Salvation

SALVATION.
WHEN the gloom is deepest round thee;When the bands of grief have bound thee,And in loneliness and sorrow,By the poisoned springs of lifeThou sittest, yearning for a morrow,That will free thee from the strife; Look not upwards, for above theeNever sun or star is gleaming;Look not round for one to love thee;Put not faith in mortal seeming;Lightly would they scorn, then leave thee.Trust not man—he will deceive thee.
But in the depths of thy own soulDescend; mysterious powers unroll—Energies that long had slumberedIn its mystic depths unnumbered.Speak the word!—the power divinestWill awake, if thou inclinest.
Thou art lord in thine own kingdom;Rule thyself—thou rulest all!Smile, when from its proud dominionEarthly joy will rudely fall.Be true unto thyself and hear notEvil thoughts, that would enslave thee,God is in thee! Mortal, fear not;Trust in Him, and He will save thee!