To My Beloved Wife, During Affliction, 1842: Poem by Thomas Cowherd

Ann, we have lived in peace for three long years.
Much pleasure we have had, some crosses too;
Enough to show that in this Vale of Tears
Affliction's needed still to bring us through.

Why should it not be so? Our God is good;
He also wise, and better far doth know
What's best for us, and if we understood
Our interest well we should confess it so.

A man both wise and good did once aver-
'At th' hands of God we have received good;
And shall not we, who are so prone to err,
Receive our evil too, as best we should?'

My dearest Ann, let not your spirits down,
But with me kiss the rod that God hath sent
His promise is that he will not disown
Those dear to him, though by sore troubles bent.

O, that the sacred influence of truth
Which we profess may ever dwell within;
That we may bear the yoke now in our youth,
And always flee the devious paths of sin.

O, that the Holy Book which does contain
The greatest charter our kind God can grant,
May prove to be like precious heavenly rain
To nourish, strengthen, and keep us from want.

Then, hand in hand in unity and love,
In holiness we'll walk before our God,
And have affections fixed on things above,
Our feet with 'gospel preparation shod.'

And thus may we hold on Life's journey through;
Nor e'er forsake pure Wisdom's sacred path.
Still as we journey always keep in view
Those glorious things 'the righteous nation' hath.

In sure and certain prospect, far beyond
In point of worth this world and all its toys,
Treasure in heaven, beside the blissful sound
Of Jesus' voice, with sweetest heavenly joys.

And may our children all likewise receive
The richest dews of heavenly blessing now.
O, may the Lord make each of them believe
The gospel pure, and to its teachings bow.

And then indeed should we be called to part
While in this world, we all shall meet above,
Where we with every power and all our heart
Will praise the Saviour's name and sing his love.

O, blest, blest thought! through vast Eternity
In purest bliss and holiness to dwell.
There our glad eyes shall Jesus ever see,
And hear the Saints his greatest wonders tell.

Analysis of this poem