Thomas Cogswell Upham

1799-1872 / the United States

Sonnet Xxxix. Power Of Faith

I sat me down in earth's benighted vale,
And had no courage and no strength to rise;
Sad to the passing breeze I told my tale,
And bowed my head, and drained my weeping eyes.
But Faith came by, and took me by the hand;
And now the valleys rise, the mountains fall.
Welcome the stormy sea, the dangerous land!
With Faith to aid me, I can conquer all.
Faith lays her hand upon the lion's mane;
Faith fearless walks within the serpent's den;
Faith smiles amid her children round her slain;
When words are burning, cries unmoved, Amen.
Yes, I am up, far upward on the wing;
The withered arm is strong, the broken heart doth sing.
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