By the Sea, and Other Verses — In the Desert

IN THE DESERT

Ah me!

what life since hers in age agone Hath not known Hagar's hour in desert wild;

Outcast from sheltering home, adrift, alone, Bereft of love's sweet ministry, her child-- Her heart's one treasure--late so fond and fair, Become a burden more than she could bear;

All earth and sky a strange enfolding scroll Writ o'er with nameless pain and sense of need To which nor pitying eye nor ear gave heed _Till came the thought of God.

_ Even so the soul, Consumed with vain regret and doubt and dread-- As she upon the barren sand her boy-- Lays all it once had counted hope and joy Upon the desolate waste itself had spread;

Self-abnegating, tho with bitter cry-- "I yield thee, but I cannot see thee die."

But, passing thence, the agonizing plea Faith transforms into tuneful harmony, Glad to remember "Thou, God, seest me."

A PHANTOM IN THE "CIRCLE"